#MUBB Clinches BIG EAST Title, 72-56 At Butler

The No. 6/6 Marquette University men's basketball team (24-6, 16-3 BIG EAST) pulled away for a 72-56 victory at Butler (14-16, 6-13 BIG EAST) Tuesday night in BIG EAST Conference action.

The win clinched the program's first-ever outright BIG EAST title and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament at Madison Square Garden. Marquette, picked ninth in the preseason poll, makes BIG EAST history with the largest jump to claim a league title (UConn was picked eighth in 1989-90 and earned a share of the title with Syracuse).

Guard Tyler Kolek finished with 21 points and 10 assists and Olivier-Maxence Prosper added 14 points and five rebounds,

Marquette's defense was impressive the entire evening, holding the Bulldogs to just 39.0 percent from the floor and forcing 13 turnovers.

MU led 36-22 at the intermission and a slow start offensively, but the team's defensive effort allowed the Golden Eagles a double-digit halftime advantage. Butler shot just 32.0 percent from the floor and MU turned eight turnovers into seven points. The Golden Eagles knocked down 13-of-18 two-point shots in the opening 20 minutes.

Notables:

Forward David Joplin finished with a career-high five steals. His previous high of two was set on three-different occasions.
Marquette also earned regular season titles in the Great Midwest Conference (1993-94) and Conference USA (2002-03)
MU's 16 league victories are the most in program history dating back to the start of conference affiliation in 1989-90.
Kolek collected his second-straight double-double and third of the season.

UP NEXT:
Marquette returns to action on Saturday, March 4 when the team hosts St. John's at 1 p.m. CT at Fiserv Forum. All fans are encouraged to wear Championship Blue and the team will celebrate Al's Day and Senior Day.

Keep up with the Marquette men's basketball program through social media by following on Twitter (@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).