INDIANAPOLIS – The Bulldogs won their fourth-straight BIG EAST game on Friday night with a 61-55 victory over visiting Marquette. Kristen Spolyar scored 23 of her game-high 30 points in the first half, and lock down defense would push Butler over the top for their 12th overall win of the season.
 
Spolyar just missed a double-double with 30 points and a team-best nine rebounds. She was the driving force behind the Butler offense early scoring eight of Butler's 10 first quarter points. She moved forward in the game to score 23 of Butler's first 25 points.
 
Spolyar accounted for 10 of the 11 made field goals by Butler after 20 minutes, allowing the 'Dawgs to own a 29-25 lead at the half. They led a majority of the way despite seeing five ties and six lead changes early in the game. Genesis Parker was the only other Bulldog with a field goal in the first half. Selena Lott led the Golden Eagles with eight at the break.
 
The biggest play of the third quarter was a whistle against Spolyar. She picked up her fourth personal foul with 3:34 left. The game was tied at 38-38 at that time and Marquette would own a three-point lead heading into the fourth by winning the third 20-13.
 
Spolyar re-entered the game with 7:44 left in the fourth with Butler trailing by two 49-47. Fellow senior Shae Brey stepped up for the Bulldogs in crunch time. Brey created a turnover with a steal and would beat out two Marquette players to a loose ball. She went coast to coast for a layup and would knot the scoreboard at 49-49 getting the home crowd of 824 fans on their feet.
 
The Golden Eagles would lead by three at the final media timeout (52-49) and were able to add a free throw before a BU run. Brey answered the call again with a 3-pointer from the wing with 4:23 left, cutting the deficit down to one.
 
Free throw shooting from Spolyar and Parker would give BU a slim two-point lead and a sweet baseline drive by Naira Caceres would cap off an 8-0 run, giving Butler a 57-53 advantage.
 
The 'Dawgs would limit Marquette to just one shot per possession down the stretch to pull out the win. BU outrebounded Marquette, a team who has been +9.2 in rebound margin this season.
 
Five different Bulldogs collected five rebounds or more. Brey was the team leader in steals with five and Caceres made plays in the paint defensively with a team-high four blocks.
 
Butler will return to action on Sunday with a 2PM contest vs. #14 DePaul.