NEW YORK -- Marquette coach Buzz Williams didn't mince any words when he was asked about senior forward Jae Crowder.

"That's my guy. I'll row with that cat no matter where he goes when his career is over," Williams said. "We don't win that game without the character of our group, and Jae and D.J. (Darius Johnson-Odom) have done a great job leading our guys on a daily basis."

Crowder hit a 3-pointer from the corner with 6.3 seconds to play and the 11th-ranked Golden Eagles beat Washington 79-77 in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.

"We knew the play we were running from the previous timeout and came up with the situation that when they do score, get it out as quick as possible," Crowder said. "I did that and had a good look. It felt real good."

Johnson-Odom had 23 points to lead the Golden Eagles (8-0) in an up-and-down game that included 15 lead changes and four ties over the final 12 minutes.

Crowder, who finished with 18 points, hit his only 3-pointer in four attempts 9 seconds after Terrence Ross had given the Huskies (4-3) a 77-76 lead with a nice move in the lane when he was closely guarded by two Marquette players.