#MUBB claims BIG EAST Opener over Butler, 80-70

MILWAUKEE – Led by 23 points from Kam Jones, the ninth-ranked Marquette University men’s basketball team captured a 80-70 victory over Butler on Wednesday evening at Fiserv Forum in its BIG EAST Conference opener.

The Golden Eagles (10-2, 1-0 BIG EAST) trailed 35-32 at the break, but scored the first eight points of the second half and eventually built a 13-point edge late in the frame. Jones scored 15 points in the second half as MU rebounded from shooting 33.3 percent from the floor and 13.3 percent from deep in the first 20 minutes.

MU’s two turnovers are its lowest total since recording the same amount in an 89-81 loss at then-No. 5 Pittsburgh on Jan. 8, 2011.

Jahmyl Telfort led the Bulldogs (7-5, 0-1 BIG EAST) with 16 points, while Patrick McCaffery scored all 13 of his points in the second half.

Telfort sunk three free throws on the game’s first possession and Butler hit three 3-pointers prior to the first media timeout to build an early 12-7 lead.

NOTABLE:

• Marquette leads the all-time series 27-25 and is 17-11 against the Bulldogs in Milwaukee. The two teams split last year’s regular season meetings with each team winning road games.
• Senior forward David Joplin posted 15 points on Wednesday and is now six points from becoming the 54th player in Marquette history to reach 1,000 in a career.
• Kam Jones led MU in scoring for the fifth time this season. It’s his sixth 20-point game of the year.
• Jones added seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. It’s his sixth game this year with at least seven rebounds and five assists.
• MU guard Stevie Mitchell tied a career best with nine rebounds and added 15 points, his highest scoring total since leading the squad with 21 points in the Nov. 19 win over then-No. 6 Purdue.
• The Golden Eagles recorded 20 offensive rebounds (Butler had four) and led BU, 28-7, in second chance points. It’s the first time a Shaka Smart-coached MU squad has reached 20 offensive boards.
• MU turned six steals into 14 fastbreak points, while BU had two points in such situations.

UP NEXT: The Golden Eagles hit the road for their next two BIG EAST contests beginning Saturday at 11 a.m. Central time against Xavier at Cintas Center in Cincinnati. MU is then off for 10 days for Christmas before resuming play on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at Providence.

Keep up with the Marquette men’s basketball program through social media by following on X (@MarquetteMBB) and Instagram (@marquette.basketball) and ‘liking’ on Facebook (/MarquetteMensBB). Fans interested in tickets can contact the Marquette Ticket Office online or at 414-288-GOMU (4668).

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.