Marquette beats Creighton despite a short bench

By foxsports
Published

Marquette nearly blew a 15-point lead on Wednesday night to Creighton, but was able to avenge a conference earlier this season with a 66-61 victory.

In one of the toughest arenas to play in, the Golden Eagles were able to sneak out with a much-needed despite playing with a short bench.

Marquette played only eight games against the Bluejays. According to Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the shortened bench was due to one player's injury and another player's benching. Four players -- Henry Ellenson, Haanif Cheatham, Jujuan Johnson and Duane Wilson -- all played 33 minutes or more for the Golden Eagles. Ellenson recorded his 16th double-double of the season with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Johnson added 15 points. 

Marquette earned the victory while playing with a short bench. Freshman center Matt Heldt was out with a left knee sprain suffered during Monday morning's practice, and sophomore guard Sandy Cohen III was benched for undisclosed disciplinary reasons.

Marquette, a team with wins over Wisconsin and two over Providence, could make a case to be in the bubble conversation this weekend, as top-ranked Villanova Wildcats travel to the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Villanova and Marquette are set to begin on Saturday at 2 p.m. EST on FOX.