The Butler men’s basketball team looked like it would be heading back to Indianapolis with a disappointing loss Saturday.
And then the Bulldogs rallied from a late 10-point deficit to beat Marquette 72-68 in overtime.
The Bulldogs remained within a half game of first place in the Big East standings behind a career-high 30 points from sophomore Andrew Chrabascz.
17 of his points came in the second half and overtime.
Late rally
Butler was trailing 51-45 with 4:34 to go when head coach Chris Holtmann received a technical foul after a no-call on a Kellen Dunham drive to the basket. The Golden Eagles capitalized, stretching their lead to 10 points.
And that’s when things started to click for the Bulldogs. They closed regulation on a 13-3 run.
Senior guard Alex Barlow hit a three-pointer with 1:21 to go. After a stop on the defensive end, Dunahm hit a jumper to tie the game with 27 seconds left.
Butler forced a Matt Carlino turnover on an inbounds play, but junior Roosevelt Jones missed a runner as time expired, and the game went to overtime.
The Bulldogs outscored the Golden Eagles 14-10 in overtime, going 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the extra period.
Dunham chipped in 17 points for Butler. He had six in overtime. Barlow had 15. Kameron Woods had just four points, but snared a game-high 18 rebounds.
Carlino and freshman Duane Wilson had 18 points apiece for Marquette. Senior Juan Anderson and sophomore Luke Fischer each had 12.
Chrabulous
Butler fans weighed in on Chrabascz’s performance Saturday, coining a new hashtag term on twitter.
Hey @BUDawgPound– @MichaelSFreeman just suggested you add #Chrabulous as a hashtag. Thoughts?
— Butler Basketball (@ButlerMBB) January 31, 2015
#Chrabulous A term of utter respect for powerhouse @chrabascz45. #GoDawgs
— Kate White (@iWantoBeKate) January 31, 2015
FINAL: 72-68 Bulldogs in OT! Butler gets a gutsy road win! Chrabs led the squad with 30 points! #Chrabulous pic.twitter.com/ydJRfza8b2
— Dawg Pound (@BUDawgPound) January 31, 2015
Into the storm
Butler returns home to host St. John’s Tuesday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse, as things will begin to heat up in the second half of the Big East slate.
The Red Storm (14-7, 3-5) got a 75-66 win over Providence Saturday, snapping a two-game losing skid.
Butler beat St. John’s 73-69 in Queens on Jan. 3.
Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. on FOX Sports 1.
