MILWAUKEE — In an exciting Big East matchup, Kam Jones led No. 9 Marquette to an 80-70 win against Butler on Wednesday night. Jones notched 23 points, and the Golden Eagles showcased exceptional ball control, committing only two turnovers throughout the game. This performance marked Marquette’s lowest turnover count since January 8, 2011, when they also recorded two turnovers during a game against Pittsburgh.
Marquette improved its record to 10-2 overall and 1-0 in the Big East, successfully overcoming a 35-32 deficit at halftime. Alongside Jones, both David Joplin and Stevie Mitchell contributed significantly, each scoring 15 points. The Golden Eagles managed to bounce back efficiently after a disappointing loss to Dayton, where they squandered a 13-point lead just three nights prior.
Butler, now at 7-5 and 0-1 in the conference, faced its fourth consecutive defeat despite having a strong shooting performance, connecting on 51.1% of their shots. Jahmyl Telfort and Kolby King each added 16 points for the Bulldogs, while Patrick McCaffery chipped in with 13.
Takeaway insights from the matchup reveal Butler’s current struggles during a challenging phase, compounded by their losses to three ranked opponents—17th-ranked Houston, North Dakota State, and 20th-ranked Wisconsin. On the other hand, Marquette’s second-half performance was a marked improvement, as it regained its rhythm after a lackluster second half against Dayton. The Golden Eagles may have made only six out of thirty attempts from beyond the arc but dominated inside, with a substantial 52-24 advantage in points allowed in the paint.
A critical turning point in the game occurred when Marquette managed to take the lead for good early in the second half. Jones set up Mitchell for an inside bucket with just over 19 minutes remaining, igniting a 10-0 run that put the Golden Eagles ahead for the remainder of the contest.
When examining the statistics, it’s noteworthy that Marquette, despite having a negative rebound margin for the season, excelled in this fixture by outrebounding Butler 38-27. They also excelled in converting second-chance opportunities, outscoring their opponents 28-7 in that category.
Looking ahead, both teams will return to action on Saturday. Butler will take on 11th-ranked UConn at home, while Marquette is set to face Xavier on the road.