Justin Lewis scored 19 points, Tyler Kolek added 18 and host Marquette defeated No. 12 Villanova 83-73 Wednesday night in Milwaukee, Wis.
Darryl Morsell contributed 15 for the No. 24-ranked Golden Eagles (16-7, 8-4 Big East), who won both games against Villanova this season.
Brandon Slater led the Wildcats (16-6, 9-3) with 18 points, Collin Gillespie added 16 and Caleb Daniels had 15. Jermaine Samuels also chipped in with 10.
Justin Moore, who eclipsed 1,000 points in his career, missed all seven 3-pointers and finished with only seven points for Villanova.
Marquette jumped out to a quick 20-8 lead with 14:08 remaining in the first half following a dunk by Oso Ighodaro.
But Villanova responded with consecutive 3-pointers by Daniels to close within six.
The Golden Eagles stretched their lead 30-19 after Kam Jones dropped in a trey from the corner with 9:34 left.
The Wildcats came back with an 8-0 run as Samuels hit a layup and Gillespie and Slater each connected on a 3-pointer.
But Slater was whistled for a technical foul after the trey and Marquette extended its advantage to 32-27.
Kolek then scored seven points and Marquette surged ahead 41-27 following an 11-0 run.
The Golden Eagles led 46-32 at halftime thanks in large part to Lewis’ 13 points.
Daniels paced Villanova with 10 on 4-of-5 shooting.
Villanova closed within 48-38 when Eric Dixon hit a jump hook with 17:13 to go in the second half. Coupled with a pair of empty possessions by Marquette, Moore and Dixon each scored and the deficit was six.
After a timeout, Morsell drove to the basket and scored. Lewis then added a trey and Marquette led 53-42.
After the Wildcats got within 56-53, Morsell hit four straight shots for an 11-point Golden Eagles advantage with 6:46 remaining.
When Lewis connected on a trey from the wing with 4:58 to go, Marquette moved out to a 70-57 lead and the Wildcats never threatened.
–Field Level Media
