Sports

Marquette defeats Providence 81-71 in game delayed by flying bat in arena

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Marquette's Vander Blue dunks the ball over Providence's LaDontae Henton during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn) (The Associated Press)

Marquette's Junior Cadougan (5) brings the ball up court as Providence's Vincent Council, right, and Kris Dunn chase during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn) (The Associated Press)

Vander Blue scored 13 points and played suffocating defense on the Big East's leading scorer to lead Marquette to an 81-71 victory over Providence Saturday in a game delayed several times because of a dive-bombing bat.

Junior Cadougan led Marquette (14-4, 5-1 Big East) with 15 points, and Trent Lockett and Davante Gardner added 13 each as part of a balanced Marquette attack.

Bryce Cotton, who came in averaging 21.9 points per game, led Providence (10-10, 2-6) with 19 hard-earned points. He attempted just nine shots and made five.

The game included several delays in the second half due to a bat circling the arena — and occasionally swooping to the floor, sending coaches, players and referees scrambling.

Marquette was coming off a 63-61 overtime loss to Cincinnati last Saturday, and four of its first five conference games went to overtime or came down to the last possession.