Washington 77 (11) Marquette 79

Jae Crowder drilled a three-point basket with 6.3 seconds left to give Marquette a 79-77 victory over Washington in the Jimmy V. Classic on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Marquette (8-0), ranked 11th, remained undefeated while Washington fell to 4-3.

The Golden Eagles lost starting center Chris Otule less than 2 minutes into the game when he suffered a sprained left knee. He was helped off the court and did not return. The severity of the injury was not known.

Darius Johnson-Odom hit a three to put Marquette ahead, 57-56, with 10:26 remaining but the game was tied again at 60. Washington later scored six straight to take a 66-63 lead, but Marquette came back and held a 67-66 lead after a fast-break dunk by Crowder.

After several lead changes, a steal by Junior Cadougan led to a three-point play by Johnson-Odom that gave Marquette a 75-73 lead, but Washington scored on a tip-in to tie it with 1:26 left.

Johnson-Odom made one of two foul shots to give Marquette a 76-75 lead with 31 seconds left, and after Washington scored, Crowder hit his game-winner.

Johnson-Odom finished 23 points for the Golden Eagles and Crowder added 18.

Speed was the theme of game, as both teams have explosive offensive attacks and are capable of getting up and down the floor and putting points on the board. In games through Sunday, Marquette ranked 11th in the nation in scoring (84.1) and Washington 24th (81.0).

The Golden Eagles' transition game has been potent, but Marquette coach Buzz Williams had warned going into the game that Washington could play at an even faster pace.

“They're really good,” said Williams. “Really, really, really, really good. They're the 10th-fastest team in the country. They have six guys that average nine points or more. They have four future NBA draft picks.”

Williams added, though, that there was another element to the game that was just as important as pace.

“So much is talked about pace and I think that's important, but maybe what should be talked about just as much is the discipline required to be successful at executing regardless of the pace involved,” said Williams.

“Wisconsin was averaging 56 possessions a game going into (last Saturday's) game and they played a 72-possession game against us, by far the fastest they had ever played this year. So pace is definitely a factor, but I think it's the discipline involved to execute regardless of pace (that's also important). That's what you have to have to be a really good team.”

Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said Marquette's win at Wisconsin was as impressive a victory as he had seen all season by any team.

The game Tuesday got off to a bad start for Marquette as Otule injured his left knee trying to chase down a loose ball.

Washington, meanwhile, hit 3 three-point baskets in jumping out to leads of 11-2 and 13-4. Marquette was plagued by turnovers early.

Marquette began to get some defensive stops and cut into the lead as Davante Gardner scored twice inside and Todd Mayo sank a three, pulling Marquette within four. The Golden Eagles cut the lead to 19-17 on a layup by Johnson-Odom with 9:54 left.

Marquette tied the game, 23-23, on two free throws by Mayo with 7:55 left, and the Golden Eagles took their first lead, 27-26, on a three by Jamil Wilson with 5:54 left. A floater by Mayo completed a 10-3 run and put Marquette ahead by three.

After Washington tied the game, 30-30, Johnson-Odom broke loose on a fast break and drew an intentional foul. He made two free throws, the Golden Eagles maintained possession and Johnson-Odom hit a jumper for a 34-30 lead. A three by Johnson-Odom gave Marquette a 37-32 lead late in the half.