WBB Pulls Away Late, Beats Butler 58-49 on Alumni Day

MILWAUKEE – The Marquette women's basketball team pulled away late to beat Butler, 59-48, on Alumni Day Saturday at the Al McGuire Center.

The Golden Eagles (16-4, 5-4 BIG EAST) were led by Liza Karlen, who had game-highs in points (25) and rebounds (11) for her fourth double-double of the season. Karlen was 11-of-21 from the floor, one off her career-highs in makes and attempts.

Mackenzie Hare joined Karlen in double-figures with 19 on 4-of-8 shooting from deep. It was the sophomore's ninth game this season with four plus 3-pointers in a game.

Marquette trailed at the half for just the fourth time this season, but used a 23-8 third quarter to regain the lead by nine heading into the fourth. Butler scored the first nine points of the final frame to tie the game, 48-48, that forced an MU timeout at the 4:29 mark.

The Golden Eagles went on an 11-0 run the rest of the game to get the win. Liza Karlen had nine of MU's final 11 points.

Butler (9-11, 1-8 BIG EAST) was led by Caroline Strande, who had 13 points and four rebounds.

NOTABLES:

Marquette has won the last eight meetings against Butler.
The Golden Eagles are 18-4 versus the Bulldogs since Butler joined the BIG EAST before the 2013-14 season.
Marquette got its first win of the season after trailing at halftime. The team was 0-3 coming into the game.
Mackenzie Hare and Liza Karlen combined for 44 of Marquette's 59 points.
Liza Karlen had her fourth double-double of the season and 17th of her career.
Karlen moved into 29th on the all-time scoring list with 1,090 career points. The senior passed Sarina Simmons (1,073 points, 2009-13) and Danielle Kamm (1,079 points, 2003-07).
Karlen moved into 17th on the all-time rebounds list with 654 career rebounds. The senior passed Clare Bernard (644 rebounds, 1993-97).
Jordan King moved into a tie for 18th on the all-time field goals made list with 638 for her career. The senior is tied with Lisa Oldenburg (1996-00).
King had a season-high tying eight rebounds and six assists.
Rose Nkumu had five assists and zero turnovers, her 11th game with 5-or-more assists this season. The senior guard is first in the BIG EAST and sixth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.3).
Marquette outrebounded Butler, 37-30, the 18th time in 20 games MU has outrebounded its opponent. The Golden Eagles are first in the BIG EAST in rebounding margin (+7.4).
The Golden Eagles had 20 assists on 24 made baskets, the 11th time in 20 games MU has recorded 20-or-more assists. Marquette is second in the BIG EAST and seventh in the nation in assists-per-game (19.8).
Marquette scored 16 fast break points to Butler's zero, third time this season MU's opponent had zero fast break points.
Former coach and newest member of the M Club Hall of Fame, Terri Mitchell, was recognized at end of the first quarter. Mitchell is the winningest coach in program history with 348 wins, and led her teams to seven NCAA tournament appearances, four Conference USA titles, and the 2008 WNIT Championship.

UP NEXT:

Marquette travels to Creighton on Wednesday, Jan. 31. Tipoff from D.J. Sokol Arena is at 6 p.m. CT.

Keep up with the Marquette women's basketball program through social media by following on X (@MarquetteWBB) and Instagram (@marquettewbb) and `liking' on Facebook (MarquetteWBB).