Marquette fans stick it out to the end as team loses in Big East tourney

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Dedicated Marquette fans stayed until the end of their team's 24-point loss to Villanova Thursday night.

The bar and restaurant Sobelman's on the school's campus was packed with students hopeful about the Golden Eagles' chances.

But now, Marquette sits firmly on the bubble to make the NCAA tournament.

"Not everybody was on tonight so there's really nothing you can do about it," said Natalie Maniscalco, a freshman at Marquette who's been a fan since she was a child.

The students were joined by some professors enjoying dinner who didn't expect to walk into the electric environment that they did.

"We knew as soon as we got here because it was way more crowded than usual," said Professor Michael Cover with a smile.

Fans still had a positive outlook after the game.

"I think they played the entire season with everything they could so I would say just keep it up and hope for the best," Maniscalco said.

The loss drops the Golden Eagles to 19-13 on the season.