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Lauren Thomas-Johnson and Krystal Ellis each scored 11 to lead the Golden Eagles

March 23, 2009

MILWAUKEE – Starting in her first game since Dec. 13 at Wisconsin, junior Lauren Thomas-Johnson scored 11 points to lead Marquette to a 58-49 victory over Butler in the second round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament Monday evening at the Al McGuire Center.

Senior Krystal Ellis also scored 11 points, while Marissa Thrower and Jessica Pachko each netted 10 as the Golden Eagles (17-15) advanced to the tournament's third round.

Holding a 53-42 advantage with just under four minutes to play, Marquette allowed Butler to score seven straight points and pull within four at 53-49. MU would then score the game's final five points to close out the match.

Having built their largest lead of the game at 39-23, Marquette allowed Butler back into the game as the Bulldogs pulled out a 17-2 run to come within one point at 41-40. From there, MU got back-to-back 3-pointers from Thomas-Johnson and Ellis, as well as four points from Thrower to take a 51-40 lead.

After taking an early 3-2 lead on a 3-pointer from Tatiyiana McMorris, the Golden Eagles fell behind until regaining their lead at 18-16 in the midst of an 11-2 run to end the first half. At the half, Marquette's 22-18 advantage marked their largest lead of the game up to that point.

Marquette started the game ice cold from the floor, connecting on only three of their first 17 attempts before rebounding to finish the first half at 33.3 percent (10-of-30). The Golden Eagles shot 47.8 percent (11-of-23) in the second half.

Butler shot an even worse 31.8 percent (7-of-22) from the field in the first, including 0-for-7 from three.

Thomas-Johnson saw action in 26 minutes and scored in double digits for the first time since Jan. 3 against USF. After making just two of her previous 32 shots from 3-point range, Thomas-Johnson was 2-of-3 from deep on the night.

Terra Burns led the way for the Bulldogs (20-12) with 13 points and six assists.