Providence's Kyron Cartwight just missed a triple-double in a win at Georgetown.
MBB Minute -- Marathon On MLK Holiday Highlights Hoops, Tributes
The annual BIG EAST Marathon, held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this season, was a banner day for the conference full of great games, splendid performances and tributes from coaches and players to Dr. King.
The day began at one of the cathedrals of college basketball, Hinkle Fieldhouse. Visiting Marquette surged to a 41-25 halftime lead over host Butler behind freshman Markus Howard’s 16 points. But the Bulldogs rallied and scored 63 points in the second half to win 88-80. Kelan Martin led five Butler players in double figures with 22 points. Howard finished with a career-high 26 points for Marquette.
In the day’s second game, Creighton handed Xavier its first loss at Cintas Center this season 72-67 on the strength of balanced scoring led by Marcus Foster’s 15 points. A big concern for the Bluejays, though, was the knee injury to Maurice Watson Jr., who was hurt in the first half and did not return. Creighton’s 18-1 record is the best start in school history. The Musketeers, who made only 16-of-29 from the foul line, were led by Trevon Bluiett’s 17 points.
St. John’s eclipsed last season’s win total after a 78-68 win over DePaul at Carnesecca Arena. The Red Storm are 9-11 overall after finishing 8-24 last year. Malik Ellison led the winners with a career-high 23 points, while Shamorie Ponds and Bashir Ahmed each scored 14 points. Billy Garrett Jr. was high for the Blue Demons with 16 points.
Villanova, which returned to No. 1 in the AP poll earlier in the day, posted a record 47
th straight win at The Pavilion with a 76-46 victory over Seton Hall. The Wildcats built a 36-23 halftime lead and kept pulling away in the second half. Kris Jenkins led five players in double figures with 16 points. The Wildcats held the Pirates to 29.1 shooting from the field. Desi Rodriguez led the Hall with 15 points.
In the Marathon nightcap at Verizon Center, Providence grabbed its first road win of the season, beating Georgetown 74-56. PC’s Kyron Cartwright just missed a triple-double with 16 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. Teammate Rodney Bullock helped with a game-high 22 points. L.J. Peak led the Hoyas with 13 points and six assists.