Free throws help Marquette top Georgetown

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Davante Gardner made two free throws with 8.3 seconds left and Marquette had to hang on while No. 15 Georgetown missed a deciding free throw before getting a 49-48 victory Saturday.
    
With Marquette leading 49-46, Greg Whittington of the Hoyas was fouled by Trent Lockett on a baseline 3-point shot with 2.3 seconds left. He made the first two free throws and after Marquette coach Buzz Williams called a timeout, hit the front of the rim on the final attempt.
    
Lockett grabbed the rebound, but missed two free throws and the game ended without the Hoyas attempting a final shot.
    
Marquette (11-3, 2-0 Big East) has won four consecutive games. Georgetown (10-2, 0-1) had its seven-game winning streak snapped in its first road game of the season.
    
Markel Starks had 14 of his 18 points in the second half while Whittington and Otto Porter added 13 each for the Hoyas.
    
It was the Hoyas' first game since Dec. 22 and first loss since dropping an 82-72 decision against then-No. 1 Indiana in overtime on Nov. 20.
    
Gardner was fouled and made one of two free throws to give Marquette the lead for good, 47-46, with 2:01 left.
    
Georgetown then got two shots off on its next possession, but couldn't score.
    
Vander Blue drove the lane for Marquette, but was called for an offensive foul with 24.6 seconds left.
    
The Golden Eagles opened their biggest lead of the second half, 32-27, on two free throws by Gardner with 13:42 left.
    
The Hoyas went on a 9-4 run and tied it at 36 on Porter's 3-pointer with 10:16 to go.
    
Blue scored 10 points in the first half and Marquette led 20-19 at halftime despite making only 7 of 27 shots.
    
Each team played stifling defense in the opening minutes of the game and neither team could score consistently. Marquette missed 11 of its first 13 shots and Georgetown missed 10 of its first 12.
    
The game was between two schools that announced last month they would be leaving the Big East to form a new conference.