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BOX SCORE

INDIANAPOLIS - Senior Brittany Bowen totaled 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Butler women's basketball team to a 61-49 victory over Valparaiso Sunday at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Senior Chloe Hamilton added 12 points and seven rebounds in what was the Horizon League opener for both teams.

The Bulldogs, who led 28-24 at halftime, pulled away late in the game. Butler had its biggest lead at 58-44 with 3:08 to play. One area where BU excelled was rebounding, beating the Crusaders 42-30 and hauling in 15 offensive rebounds. Junior Devin Brierly had eight rebounds, including five offensive boards.

Betsy Adams led Valparaiso with 14 points. Gina Lange added 9.

"We're glad to get a tough league win. Starting 1-0 in the league was important for us," head coach Beth Couture said. "But I think we need to be better offensively. We had some open shots that we didn't make."

Butler committed 18 turnovers, with 10 coming in the first half. The Bulldogs played a better second half, cutting down on turnovers and shooting 42 percent. Four of BU's six 3-pointers also came in the second period.

Freshman Sarah Hamm came off the bench to score 10 points for the Bulldogs. Hamm went down in the second half and was carried off by teammates. 

Butler plays at Wright State Thursday, Jan. 6. BU's next home game is Jan. 13 vs. Cleveland State.