INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Butler Bulldogs were tired of falling short.
So on Saturday, they aggressively took control, stood up to the challenges and finally found a way to bite back.
Bryce Golden scored a career-high 22 points, Bo Hodges posted a double-double and Aaron Thompson broke the school's career-assist record as the Bulldogs held off No. 18 Marquette 85-79.
“The ball was moving well tonight," Golden said. “Coach always says the best man’s the open man, and we did a good job capitalizing on that."
It showed — right from the start.
Butler opened the game by making 6 of 8 from 3-point range and finished with a season-high 13 from beyond the arc. Golden, Hodges and Thompson routinely won the battle to loose balls and rebounds, and the surprising Golden Eagles couldn't keep up.
As a result, the Bulldogs (12-13, 5-9 Big East) snapped a three-game losing streak and earned its first win over a ranked team in nine tries this season.
The postgame party even included a celebration for Thompson, who had five assists to make it 541 for the career — one more than Thomas Jackson, who was a teammate of Butler coach LaVall Jordan.
“An assist record, you can’t do it alone so this is not just an award for me, this is an award for all the guys I’ve played with throughout my career," Thompson said.
Jordan cracked: “All nine years."
But more than just a respite for a team that had lost its last three by three or fewer points, Jordan hopes the win is a turning point.
While Justin Lewis led Marquette with 27 points and nine rebounds and Tyler Kolek added 17 points, the Golden Eagles (16-9, 8-6) never led and never even had a chance to tie the score after Butler took a 10-5 lead.
“How they feel about Marquette is dictated by what we do at the start," Marquette coach Shaka Smart said. “They thought ‘We can go get baskets inside against these guys, we can make 3s against these guys, we can get offensive rebounds against these guys.'”
The combination helped Butler jump to a 26-11 lead less than nine minutes into the game and a subsequent 7-0 run helped the Bulldogs pull out to a 21-point lead.
Only then did the Golden Eagles start fighting back. Marquette cut the halftime deficit to 42-27, opened the second half with the first five points to make it a 10-point game and after Butler rebuilt a 55-39 lead, the Golden Eagles finally close to 60-55 with 7:44 left.
Butler answered with a five-point flurry. And as the teams traded baskets and free throws down the stretch, Marquette never got closer than four.
“It’s hard to come back and win when you dig yourself a hole like that," Smart said.
BIG PICTURE
Marquette: The Golden Eagles have played better than expected this season. But losses at No. 24 UConn followed by a subpar showing at Butler didn't help. With no more ranked teams between now and the conference tournament, Marquette needs to rebound.
Butler: These were the Bulldogs fans expected season. They were fast and efficient on offense and pestered Marquette defensively. One more win would get Butler back to .500, a major accomplishment given how this season has gone. The question is whether the Bulldogs can use this win to make a postseason push.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Marquette opened this week with its highest ranking in nearly two years. Two losses in five days, especially this one, will certainly send the Golden Eagles sliding. The question is how much they'll fall in Monday's rankings.
STAT PACK
Marquette: Lewis and Kolek each made four 3s. ... Greg Elliott finished with 13 points and went 9 of 9 at the free-throw line. ... Saturday was Marquette’s first game at Hinkle Fieldhouse since Feb. 17, 2020. ... The Golden Eagles were 10 of 29 on 3s and were outrebounded 36-29.
Butler: Hodges finished with 11 points, a career-high 11 rebounds and three assists. ... Bryce Nze had 12 points and nine rebounds, Chuck Harris added 15 points and made four 3s and freshman Simas Lukosius had 14 points. ... Jordan only played seven players Saturday.
UP NEXT
Marquette: Returns home to face Georgetown on Wednesday.
Butler: Begins a two-game road trip Tuesday at DePaul.
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