INDIANAPOLIS – The Bulldogs pulled out their fifth win of the season in gritty fashion as Butler used a late run to earn a 53-47 win over the Norse on Sunday afternoon. Junior Ijeoma Uchendu stepped up with her first career double-double for Butler as the Bulldog reserves outscored Northern Kentucky 23-8.

Uchendu was a spark for Butler off the bench as she recorded 14 points and 14 rebounds vs. Northern Kentucky. Multiple Bulldog starters were limited due to foul trouble and the team was once again without the services of Liz Stratman who missed her second straight game with back spasms.

Uchendu logged 30 minutes of playing time on Sunday and responded with 14 points by hitting 8-of-11 from the free throw line. She was extremely active on the offensive glass hauling down six offensive boards. The junior added three blocks and two steals to help Butler seal the win.

Taylor Schippers was another key component to the win as she led the team in scoring for the second straight game by pouring in 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting against NKU. Schippers hit two 3-point field goals and also came up with two assists and three steals.

Four of Butler's starting five players ended the game with four personal fouls which led to the bench getting extended playing time. Ashton Feldhaus and Blaire Langlois also played well off the bench combining for nine points and eight rebounds.

Northern Kentucky was led by Kelley Weigman and Kayla Thacker who each scored in double figures. Wiegman led the team with 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting and Thacker was close behind with 10 points.

Butler did a nice job defensively on Meldoy Doss who came into the contest averaging over 20 points per game, but left Hinkle Fieldhouse with only two points and nine rebounds on Sunday.

Butler shot 32 percent from the floor (15-46) and 26 percent from distance, but their defense would come up big in this victory as Northern Kentucky only managed to hit 15 of their 54 field goal attempts to shoot 27 percent. They were 2-for-13 from downtown which included a last second 3-point field goal to beat the buzzer at the end of the first half.

The buzzer beater gave NKU a 27-23 lead at the break, but Butler would come back to tie the game at 30-30 with 13:18 remaining. The score would remain close until the under eight minute media timeout when the Norse went on a run to grab a seven point lead at 45-38. Weigman scored four of the points during that span, but the momentum would shift to Schippers who exploded to spark the BU comeback.

Schippers hit a free throw at the 4:20 mark to stop the NKU run. She went on to score the next five points to give Butler the one point lead at 46-45. The momentum fully moved to Butler's side as the official called a loose ball foul while counting a Schippers 3-point field goal which sent Uchendu to the free throw line for an additional two points giving Butler a 48-45 lead with 1:28 to play.

Northern Kentucky was only able to score two points after the 4:33 mark as the Butler defense stepped up to the challenge to improve their overall record to 5-5. The Bulldogs ended the game on a 15-2 run.

Butler will return to action with a 1:05 p.m. tip at Indiana State next weekend, Saturday Dec. 21. The contest will be the last regular season non-conference opponent to appear on the schedule as BIG EAST play starts on Dec. 28 with a home game vs. Marquette.