MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - Just as Marquette was starting to pull away from the visiting Providence Friars, a bat destroyed the concentration of just about everybody in the Bradley Center.

It flew around for about 15 minutes, dive-bombing players, coaches and referees and interrupting the Golden Eagle momentum.

Despite the distraction, Marquette held on for an 81-71 win. Junio Cadougan led the Eagles with 15 points, while Vander Blue, Trent Lockett and Davante Gardner added 13 to the balanced scoring sheet.

By Marquette standards, the 10-point victory was a blow-out. 4 of its first 5 Big East Conference games went overtime or were decided on the final possession.

Marquette is now 5-1 in conference play and 14-4 overall.

The Golden Eagles outscored Providence 44-24 in the paint and 16-4 on fast-breaks. The bat caused two play stoppages, one of 4 minutes.