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.