GuardsDeonte Burton, Dawson transferring from Marquette

Deonte Burton, Branden Dawson
Marquette forward Deonte Burton (30) shoots over Michigan State guard Branden Dawson, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Friday, Nov. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Guards Deonte Burton and John Dawson are transferring from Marquette, leaving the already short-handed program in Steve Wojciechowski’s first year as coach.

Wojciechowski (woe-juh-HOW-skee) wished the sophomores well in announcing their departures Tuesday. They will leave at the end of the first semester on Sunday.

Burton averaged 6.4 points in 16 minutes off the bench. He was the team’s leading returning scorer from the 2013-14 season, when he averaged 6.9 points.

Dawson hasn’t played since the season-opening win over Tennessee-Martin. Both players were recruited by former coach Buzz Williams, who left last spring for Virginia Tech.

The Golden Eagles (4-4) next play on Dec. 16 against Arizona State, when center Luke Fischer becomes eligible after transferring from Indiana last season. Fischer would give Marquette eight active scholarship players.