LEXINGTON, KY – The real winner of the Marquette-Butler matchup on Saturday? College basketball fans, who will get to see these schools produce more epic battles as members of the new Big East next season.
Meeting for the second time this season, Marquette emerged victorious in a back-and-forth battle against Butler, by a 74-72 score. A desperation three-point attempt at the buzzer by Andrew Smith was off the mark, and the Golden Eagles gained redemption for the teams’ Maui Invitational matchup earlier this season, which Butler won with a three-pointer at the buzzer.
Vander Blue scored a game-high 29 points for Marquette, but had to sweat out Butler’s final possession after throwing the ball away on an inbounds pass which gave the Bulldogs one last shot to win the game. Rotnei Clarke scored a team-high 24 points for the Bulldogs, but his production was limited in the second half after hurting his wrist. Marquette advances to the Sweet Sixteen for the third consecutive season, the first time the program has accomplished that feat since the legendary Al McGuire was patrolling the sidelines in the 1970s.
Kevin Kugler and Jamal Mashburn called the action on Westwood One Sports.
(Clarke heats up as Butler takes 31-23 lead)
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(Blue and Clarke trade threes as Bulldogs maintain five-point lead)
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(Fromm nails a big three as Bulldogs grab 54-50 edge)
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(Blue takes over as Marquette jumps in front, 60-58)
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(Marshall cuts down the lane for jam as Bulldogs go back on top by two)
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(Down three, Blue steps up again as Golden Eagles tie it up at 69)
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(One last chance for Butler in final seconds, trailing by two)
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(Postgame interview with Marquette’s Trent Lockett)
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(Lexington wrap-up with Kevin Kugler and Jamal Mashburn)
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For our complete NCAA Tournament schedule, CLICK HERE.
