MILWAUKEE — Butler basketball had seemingly gained control of Saturday’s game against Marquette, when it took a 28-27 lead late in the first half.
However, the Bulldogs next made field goal didn’t come until they were trailing by 10 points just two minutes into the second half.
Butler’s deficit would only grow larger from there, as the Bulldogs eventually lost 70-55. Sixteen turnovers by the Dawgs led to 21 Marquette points. They also were without starting point guard Azavier Robinson, who missed his second straight game with a left wrist injury, and Jamie Kaiser Jr., due to illness.
Butler (13-11, 4-9 Big East) looks to snap a four-game losing streak Wednesday when it hosts No. 3 UConn.
Here are three things that stood out.
Butler basketball continues strong rebounding
Rebounding has been a calling card for Butler all season, a trend that continued Saturday. Amid the aforementioned slow start offensively, which included six turnovers in the opening six minutes, the Bulldogs’ rebounding helped them erase an eight point first half deficit.
Butler outrebounded the Golden Eagles 43-29 and held them to just two second chance points. Michael Ajayi led the charge on closing defensive possessions, as he grabbed a team-high 19 rebounds — one shy of his season-high set vs Northwestern.
The rebounding dominance allowed Butler to get out in transition, attack the paint and get into the bonus with 11 minutes and seven seconds left in the first half.
Butler had 12 fastbreak points and was 7 for 13 from the free-throw line. The Bulldogs have now outrebounded their opponents in 18 of 24 games this season.
Marquette torches Butler defense from 3-point range
Notable Marquette men’s basketball alumni such as Dwyane Wade were sitting courtside, as former Golden Eagles coach Tom Crean’s banner was hoisted into the rafters of Fiserv Forum.
Marquette freshman Nigel James Jr., who finished with 16 points, was seemingly paying homage to Wade against Butler with his relentless dribble penetration.
His ability to get into the lane created open perimeter looks for the Golden Eagles, who were ineffective from beyond the arc in the first half.
Marquette started just 3 of 15 on 3-pointers, before flipping the proverbial script in the second half.
The Golden Eagles made five straight 3-pointers to open the second half, turning a four point halftime advantage to a commanding 17-point lead at the 13:58 mark. They wound up hoisting 31 3-pointers, and made 11 of their 14 outside shots in the second half. Marquette finished making 45.2% on 3-pointers, and 64.3% in the second half.
Finley Bizjack can’t do it alone
Marquette defenders were very aware of Finley Bizjack’s sharpshooting abilities, as they jumped on nearly every pump fake from Butler’s leading scorer.
Despite that attention to detail, Bizjack still shot 9 for 12 from the field, en route to a game-high 23 points.
The 6-foot-4 junior gave Butler its first lead via a 3-pointer at the 6:43 mark in the first half and made four more 3s before the game ended.
That includes a one-footed 3-pointer with 2:14 left in the first half, which was Butler’s final basket before halftime. Bizjack opened the second half with a highlight play, as he broke the ankles of Marquette forward Ben Gold and made a 3-pointer on the right wing in front of Butler’s bench.
While his teammates on the bench celebrated, those on the court with Bizjack didn’t come to his aid and uplift Butler’s offense. Bizjack was the only Bulldog to score in double figures.
Butler shot 20-of-61 (32.8%) from the field, with Bizjack accounting for eight of those made field goals.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Finley Bizjack’s big game spoiled by turnovers in Butler’s loss at Marquette
Reporting by Nile McNair, Special to IndyStar / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
