INDIANAPOLIS – A two-point halftime lead didn't hold up on Wednesday night as the Villanova Wildcats came back with a strong effort in the final 20 minutes of action to defeat Butler by the final score of 70-48. The Bulldogs shot 52 percent in the opening half, but were limited to just four field goals in the second stanza.

Butler was forced to play without their leading scorer and rebounder as Daress McClung watched from the sideline with a walking boot on her foot. Haley Howard jumped in the starting lineup with McClung sidelined and performed nicely with a team-high 17 points and six rebounds.

Howard was the only Bulldog to reach a double figure scoring total as Liz Stratman, Ijeoma Uchendu and Taylor Schippers were all close with nine, eight and seven points respectively.

The two halves on Wednesday night were complete opposites for Butler as the 'Dogs shot 10-for-19 in the first half (52%) compared to just 4-of-22 in the second (18%). The Wildcats continued to attack from the perimeter the entire game as 31 of their 54 shots came from behind the 3-point line.

Nova hit 11-for-31 from distance thanks to Kendall Burton who came off the bench to hit five shots from behind the arc. Three Wildcats reached a double figure scoring total with Burton leading the way with 17.

The Wildcats were extremely efficient on the offensive end as they posted 20 assists with just four turnovers. 12 players saw the court and 10 ended up scoring at least two points.

Butler will once again hit the road for BIG EAST play as they head to Washington, D.C. for a 2 p.m. tip against Georgetown on Saturday, Jan. 11. The team will remain on the road for an 11:30 a.m. tip vs. St. John's on Wednesday, Jan. 15.