Box Score
MILWAUKEE – The first quarter was the deciding factor in Sunday afternoon's game at Marquette. The Golden Eagles outscored Butler 25-9 over the opening 10 minutes and would hang onto second place in the conference standings with a 76-54 win.
Kristen Spolyar and
Katherine Strong combined for 30 of Butler's 54 points. Spolyar led all Bulldogs in the scoring column with 16 and Strong was close behind with 14. Marquette had five players reach a double figure scoring total. They dished out 21 assists on 29 made field goals and crushed Butler on the glass 37-22.
Marquette was on fire to start the game inside the Al McGuire Center. The Golden Eagles made five of their first six shots (83%) to open up a 19-6 lead at the first media timeout. Spingola went 3-for-4 from long range in the first five minutes of action and Jordan King would beat the buzzer with a floater to give the home team a 25-9 lead at the end of one.
The second quarter got off to a slow start with each team scoring five points over the first five minutes of action. Business picked up over the final five allowing Marquette to outscore Butler by one 17-16. Spingola added another 3-pointer to her stat line to give her a game-high 12 points at the break. Kat Strong led Butler with eight, by pouring in six points in the second quarter.
Strong continued to play well for Butler in the third quarter. She was responsible for the first two made field goals in the second half for BU. Marquette led Butler by 20 at the media timeout (51-31) and would own an 18-point lead heading into the fourth.
Spolyar scored the first six points of the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs couldn't cut into the Marquette lead. Spingola hit her fifth triple of the game with under five minutes to play to keep the Golden Eagles in front and the home team would get to the finish line to record their 20th win of the season.
The final two home games of the regular season are approaching on the Butler schedule. The 'Dawgs will host Creighton on Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 PM. Senior Day will follow on Sunday with BU hosting Providence at 2 PM. Each game will steam on BEDN.
