The self-destruction of the Scarlet Knights came in stages Wednesday night at the Bradley Center.

In a game in which their head coach was under the weather and their marquee player was under the radar, the No.,”

With just inside three minutes to go, Rutgers guard Marquis Webb missed a wide open layup, and the process was complete.

The self-destruction of the Scarlet Knights came in stages Wednesday night at the Bradley Center.

In a game in which their head coach was under the weather and their marquee player was under the radar, the No. 11 Golden Eagles prevailed nonetheless, 67-47.

"As a staff, the ideal thing is to have all your players play their best without one player dominating," said assistant coach Bennie Seltzer, who filled in for an ill Tom Crean at the post-game press conference.

Five players scored in double figures for the Golden Eagles, led by junior center Ousmane Barro, who posted 11 points and 11 rebounds.

But for all the offensive balance Marquette displayed, Rutgers was equally detached.

Less than a minute into the game, Rutgers head coach Fred Hill shouted out instructions to point guard Anthony Farmer, who shook him off like a pitcher displeased with the signs his catcher gave him.

Farmer probably should have listened. The Scarlet Knights shot 35.4 percent from the field on the night.

Marquette (21-4, 8-2 Big East) did not necessarily shoot well, either, but it was able to take advantage of the opportunities Rutgers afforded them.

"We did a good job tonight of being a mature team," sophomore guard Jerel McNeal said. "We were getting into our halfcourt sets and taking the fast breaks when we got them."

Rutgers succeeded in slowing down the game's tempo, an objective the Scarlet Knights thought would work in their favor. However, Marquette responded with pinball-style passing, slinging the ball from player to player, waiting for a good look and rarely forcing a shot.

"The two things you want to try to do (against Marquette) is slow them down," said Hill, who, like his players, never got around to finishing things off.

Junior forward Dan Fitzgerald, who finished with 10 points, received an inbounds pass under the basket with 8:40 remaining in the first half, put up a shot and had it blocked by Rutgers forward JR Inman. But while Inman admired his swat, Fitzgerald corralled the ball, spun and scored a layup.

The Golden Eagles controlled the post, out-rebounding the Scarlet Knights 40-28.

"We know that it's a necessity," sophomore guard Wesley Matthews said. "When we can control the glass, we control the game."

Even when they have to play the opposing team's style.

Rutgers kept the game close for the game's first 12 minutes and did not fall apart until the final five. But the Golden Eagles adjusted throughout to what the Scarlet Knights showed them, chipping away, knowing that eventually Rutgers would crack.

And crack Rutgers did.

Just 28 seconds into the second half, Matthews drew a charge from Rutgers' Adrian Hill, inciting Hill to protest.

Slowly but surely, Marquette pulled away. Sophomore guard Dominic James had an off night shooting (1-for-7) but had as many assists as he did shot attempts.

Not that James' shooting woes mattered. Barro, Fitzgerald, Matthews, McNeal and freshman guard David Cubillan scored in double figures.

When asked if the Golden Eagles were playing their best basketball, Matthews responded emphatically.

"No, not at all," Matthews said. "We're playing good basketball, but not our best basketball."

Tell that to the Scarlet Knights.

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