Box Score Butler celebrated Senior Day with a 95-74 win over Marquette Saturday afternoon at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Butler had five players in double figures, including seniors Austin Etherington, Roosevelt Jones and Kellen Dunham. Senior Jordan Gathers added eight. Butler never trailed in the contest and saw its lead expand to 32 late in the second half. With the win, Butler ends the regular season with a 21-9 record and 10-8 mark in BIG EAST play.
Butler tied for fourth in the final BIG EAST standings and will be the #5 seed in the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament in New York City. The Bulldogs will play fourth-seeded Providence Thursday at 2:30 p.m.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 20-6 lead less than seven minutes into the game, hitting seven of their first eight shots. Once Marquette trimmed the lead to three with an 11-0 run, Butler responded by scoring 10 of the next 12 points to take a 30-19 lead. Things escalated quickly as Butler took a 53-34 lead into the half. The lead grew to more than 30 midway through the second half.
Etherington led Butler with 18 points, hitting three of Butler's eight three-pointers. Butler shot 56 percent from the field and 40 percent from behind the arc. The Bulldogs made 23 of its 35 free throws. Jones,
Kelan Martin and
Andrew Chrabascz each had 15 points. For Jones, that included his 1,500
th career point. Dunham made all three of his attempts from the field for 12 points.
When asked about Dunham and Jones, coach Chris Holtmann was not shy with his praise.
"These are two of the most impactful guys to wear a Butler uniform, and that's saying something with the history here. It's an honor to play here. It's an honor to coach here. That's because of who was here before you.
"They represent the best of The Butler Way. They have guided this program through some serious transition.
"These seniors have changed Butler for the better and Butler has changed them for the better. They'll be successful in whatever they choose to do."
Butler reached 80 points for the 14th time this season. Butler is 14-0 in those games. The Bulldogs enter the BIG EAST Tournament as winners of seven of their last nine.
After being out-rebounded in the loss to Marquette Jan. 30 in Milwaukee, Butler held a 31-25 advantage on the glass in the win. Martin had a game-high nine boards.
Henry Ellenson led Marquette with 29 points. The Golden Eagles are 19-12 (8-10 BIG EAST) and will enter the BIG EAST Tournament as the #7 seed, playing St. John's on Wednesday.
