No. 9 Marquette commits just 2 turnovers in 80-70 victory over Butler

No. 9 Marquette commits just 2 turnovers in 80-70 victory over Butler | iNFOnews.ca
Marquette's David Joplin tries to get past Butler's Finley Bizjack during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kam Jones scored 23 points and No. 9 Marquette committed just two turnovers in an 80-70 victory over Butler on Wednesday night in the Big East opener for both teams.

Marquette (10-2, 1-0) had its lowest turnover total since Jan. 8, 2011, when it also had two turnovers in an 89-81 loss at Pittsburgh, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

David Joplin and Stevie Mitchell scored 15 points each for Marquette, which rallied from a 35-32 halftime deficit.

The Golden Eagles bounced back three nights after squandering a 13-point lead in a 71-63 loss at Dayton.

Butler (7-5, 0-1) lost its fourth straight despite shooting 51.1% from the floor.

No. 9 Marquette commits just 2 turnovers in 80-70 victory over Butler | iNFOnews.ca
Marquette’s Kam Jones gets past Butler’s Jahmyl Telfort during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Jahmyl Telfort and Kolby King scored 16 points each for Butler. Patrick McCaffery had 13.

Takeaways

Butler: The Bulldogs are struggling through a demanding stretch, as three of their losses in this skid came against Top 25 teams. Butler lost 79-51 to then-No. 17 Houston, fell 71-68 at home to North Dakota State and lost 83-74 to then-No 20 Wisconsin.

Marquette: The Golden Eagles’ second-half surge represented a return to form after they got outscored 45-27 in the second half against Dayton. Marquette shot 6 of 30 from 3-point range but had a 52-24 advantage in the paint.

Key moment

No. 9 Marquette commits just 2 turnovers in 80-70 victory over Butler | iNFOnews.ca
Marquette’s David Joplin and Butler’s Jahmyl Telfort battle for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

After leading for only 23 seconds in the first half, Marquette pulled ahead for good when Jones found Mitchell for an inside basket with 19:14 left. That was part of a 10-0 run, as Marquette scored the final basket of the first half and the first eight points of the second half.

Key stats

Marquette entered with a negative rebound margin for the season, but the Golden Eagles had a 38-27 edge on the boards and outscored Butler 28-7 in second-chance points.

Up next

Both teams play Saturday, with Butler hosting No. 11 UConn and Marquette visiting Xavier.

No. 9 Marquette commits just 2 turnovers in 80-70 victory over Butler | iNFOnews.ca
Marquette’s Stevie Mitchell is fouled by Butler’s Evan Haywood during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 9 Marquette commits just 2 turnovers in 80-70 victory over Butler | iNFOnews.ca
Marquette head coach Shaka Smart reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 9 Marquette commits just 2 turnovers in 80-70 victory over Butler | iNFOnews.ca
Marquette’s Kam Jones tries to get past Butler’s Evan Haywood during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 9 Marquette commits just 2 turnovers in 80-70 victory over Butler | iNFOnews.ca
Butler’s Pierre Brooks II draws a charge on Marquette’s Stevie Mitchell during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 9 Marquette commits just 2 turnovers in 80-70 victory over Butler | iNFOnews.ca
Marquette’s David Joplin tries to get past Butler’s Kolby King during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 9 Marquette commits just 2 turnovers in 80-70 victory over Butler | iNFOnews.ca
Marquette’s David Joplin tries to get past Butler’s Pierre Brooks II during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 9 Marquette commits just 2 turnovers in 80-70 victory over Butler | iNFOnews.ca
Butler head coach Thad Matta reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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