The Marquette Golden Eagles were the ninth-ranked team in the country in college basketball entering Tuesday night’s matchup against the Butler Bulldogs on the road. After the first half, Butler had a 42-35 lead over Marquette, and the Golden Eagles were on the verge of getting upset on the road.
However, the Golden Eagles bounced back in the second half and won by a final score of 78-69. Marquette is 18-3 overall this season and they are 9-1 in Big East Conference play. They are tied for first place in the conference with the St. John’s Red Storm. Butler is 9-12 overall and they are 2-8 in conference play this season.
Stevie Mitchell Steps Up For the Marquette Golden Eagles Against the Butler Bulldogs
Stevie Mitchell has not been known for his scoring this season for Marquette. However, he scored 22 points, grabbed five rebounds, and recorded three assists. Kam Jones scored 17 points, grabbed one rebound, and recorded four assists.
Chase Ross scored 12 points, grabbed four rebounds, and recorded four assists. David Joplin also scored 14 points, grabbed three rebounds, and recorded two assists for the Marquette Golden Eagles. Ben Steele of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said after the game:
“FINAL: Marquette 78, Butler 69 Probably the grittiest win of the season for #mubb with Kam Jones saddled with foul trouble. The team often struggled without Jones this season, but the team banded together for Big East road win.”
Even though this team has struggled at times this season without Kam Jones, it goes to show how deep Shaka Smart’s basketball team is this season. Stevie Mitchell was able to lead the team in scoring in this matchup.
Butler Bulldogs Stats
Only two players scored in double figures for Thad Matta’s squad on Tuesday night. Jahmyl Teffort scored 24 points and Patrick McCaffrey scored 12 points, grabbed four rebounds, and recorded one assist.
It was a surprise that the Golden Eagles struggled in the first half against the Bulldogs. In the end, Marquette’s talent was too much for Butler.
