INDIANAPOLIS – The Bulldogs defeated Villanova for the first time in program history on Friday night as the team pulled together for their fifth-straight conference win of the season. The 72-58 home victory over the Wildcats moves Butler to .500 on the year with a 9-9 overall record that includes a 5-2 mark against BIG EAST competition.

"I'm extremely proud of our kids," Head Coach Kurt Godlevske said after the game. "I just think we are having a whole lot of fun right now… just really enjoying it and it's been a blast so far with the girls as they continue to buy in to the program."

Butler was led offensively by the duo of Loryn Goodwin and Ijeoma Uchendu who each ended the contest with 20 plus points. Goodwin was credited with 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals in 40 minutes of action while Uchendu chalked up 21 points 12 rebounds and a block in the victory.

"Loryn Goodwin is the type of player that can do a variety of different things with the basketball," Godlevske said. "That enables us to create a lot of different situations and put her in different spots on the floor that can also get other players open. She has been doing such a great job of seeing what we want to accomplish by running our sets."

Goodwin scored in a variety of ways, but the Bulldogs were able to take control of the game by owning the paint against the perimeter oriented Villanova squad. Uchendu and Belle Obert dominated inside giving Butler a 40-12 points in the paint advantage.

"IJ is another gifted player on this team," Godlevske said. "We saw on film where we thought we could have some advantages in terms of post play. Our kids did a great job of getting the ball down to her and she made some important shots for us tonight."

Uchendu continued to score with the ball on the block and once the double teams started it allowed Obert to get busy. The 6-2 post player reached a double-double vs. Villanova with 12 points and 10 rebounds. She led the team with three blocked shots and stepped out to knock down two 3-point field goals in the win.

First half action was back and forth as the two teams went to the locker tied up at 37-37. Goodwin drove hard to the bucket to knot the score with just two seconds to play, ultimately ending the first half. Butler had to fight back to overcome an early 12-4 deficit as the Wildcats knocked down four 3-point field goals to grab the early lead.

3-point shooting was the key to the game in many ways as Villanova hit nine triples in the opening 20 minutes compared to just three in the second half. Butler made some changes defensively to hold their opponents to just 21 second half points.

"I thought tonight was a tale of two different halves," Godlevske explained. "We came out with one game plan, but we saw where we needed to make adjustments for the second half and it helped limit their 3-point field goal looks."

The second half belonged to Butler as the team broke a 44-44 tie by going on a 12-5 run. The team rode the momentum to a 10-point lead with 4:24 to play and ended the game with a 14 point win.

"Harry is an unbelievable coach, their kids are unbelievable and I don't know if I have been part of many games where each team is only in single digits in the turnover category and executing at such a high level," Godlevske added.

Butler had eight turnovers compared to nine for the visitors. The 'Dawgs also ended the contest shooting 47 percent from the field while a slow second half took Nova's percentage down to 38.

Butler will return to action with a 1 p.m. tip against Georgetown on Sunday, Jan. 18.