Tyler Kolek showcased his prowess with 27 points, a pivotal 3-pointer coming with just 90 seconds remaining, while Oso Ighodaro contributed with 17 points and 10 rebounds, leading the No. 4 Marquette to a hard-fought 78-72 victory over Butler on Tuesday night.
Kolek, who also notched seven rebounds and five assists, played a significant role in securing Marquette’s eighth consecutive win as they avenged an earlier split in the season series.
Despite a valiant effort from Finley Bizjack, who registered a career-high 19 points, and a late surge that narrowed the gap to 64-62 with four minutes remaining, Butler, with Jahmyl Telford adding 12 points, six assists and six rebounds, couldn’t quite muster enough to level the score or seize the lead.
Marquette seized control early in the second half, embarking on a 10-4 run to establish a 44-36 advantage. However, maintaining that lead proved challenging, especially after Bizjack’s offensive burst closed the deficit to two points.
Nonetheless, Kolek’s clutch 3-pointer extended Marquette’s lead to 72-66, effectively thwarting Butler’s comeback aspirations.
Looking ahead, Marquette remains a formidable contender in the national rankings and the conference title race. However, Butler, under coach Thad Matta, is striving to strengthen its NCAA Tournament credentials amid a late-season surge that saw them secure victories in five of their last six games.
While Marquette savors a quality road triumph, their next challenge looms large as they face off against No. 1 UConn on Saturday. A victory in that matchup is imperative for Marquette to stay within striking distance of the league-leading Huskies.
