Box Score Butler topped IUPUI, 92-54, Monday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse in the Bulldogs' non-conference finale. The home team shot 50 percent from the floor and got a game-high 19 points from sophomore Kelan Martin. Butler closes the non-conference portion of its schedule at 11-1, while IUPUI falls to 4-11.
Martin's 19 points came in only 19 minutes as he made eight of his 11 attempts.
Roosevelt Jones added 17 points, five rebounds and five steals, while
Andrew Chrabascz was the third Bulldog in double figures with 15. Jones matched his career-high with five steals, one that also came against IUPUI in the last meeting between the teams in December of 2012.
"Our older guys have shown great leadership throughout this non-conference portion of the schedule," said Butler coach Chris Holtmann. "They've had the right approach and that has led to a terrific non-conference record. We're proud of that. But we also know what's coming. We have some of the best teams in the country in the next few weeks."
Both teams struggled offensively in the opening minutes of the game before a 9-0 run pushed the Butler advantage to 24-13 with eight minutes to play in the half. Butler continued the momentum and went into the locker room with a 43-24 edge, its largest of the first 20 minutes. Butler scored the first 10 points of the second half and never looked back.
Butler shot at least 50 percent (34-68) for the seventh time in 12 games this season, while forcing IUPUI into 35-percent shooting (20-57) and 15 turnovers. Butler committed only eight turnovers and made 17 of 22 free throw attempts. Jordan Gathers had nine points on three three-pointers; Kellen Dunham added eight. Tyler Lewis had seven assists.
The Bulldogs had a 43-34 rebounding advantage and turned IUPUI's 15 turnovers into 20 points. The final margin of 38 was the largest lead for Butler in the contest.
Darell Combs led IUPUI with 11 points.
The Bulldogs return to action Thursday as the #12/13 Providence Friars come to Hinkle Fieldhouse to begin the BIG EAST portion of the schedule. The game is sold out, but will be aired nationally on CBS Sports Network. It is only the second time in Hinkle history that both Butler and its opponent have been ranked in the Top 15 nationally.
