Purchase Third Round NCAA Tickets Here

PITTSBURGH, PA. – Kellen Dunham scored a game-high 20 point and Butler used strong performances at the defensive end and at the free throw line to hold off Texas, 56-48, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburg, Pa.  The victory sends the Bulldogs into a third round match against Notre Dame on Saturday (March 21).

Dunham scored 13 of his points in the second half to help the Bulldogs build as much as a nine point lead.  He connected on eight of ten attempts from the free throw line in the final 20 minutes to help Butler maintain the lead.

Butler managed only five field goals after intermission, but knocked down 19 of 26 shots at the charity stripe.

"I can't say enough about our guys," said Butler Head Coach Chris Holtmann after the game. "This is kind of who they've been all year.  We've been able to grind out a lot of wins."

"We have a lot of respect for Texas, Coach Barnes and their ability.  They obviously made it very difficult for us to score the ball.  We knew they would, particularly around the rim, and they did that the entire night," continued the Butler coach.

The Bulldogs, who improved to 23-10 on the year, led by two points, 26-24, at halftime, but surrendered that advantage early in the second half.  Texas (20-14) opened the second half on a 6-2 run to take a 30-28 lead with 15 minutes remaining.

Dunham tied the score with a jump shot at 13:38 and Andrew Chrabascz put the Bulldogs back on top with a free throw, 31-30, less than 20 seconds later.

Butler never trailed the rest of the way, but Texas, sparked by guard Isaiah Taylor, kept the margin close.  Taylor hit a jump shot with 2:42 remaining to bring the Longhorns within a single point, 44-43.

Dunham answered with four straight points and senior Kameron Woods added a pair of free throws to stretch Butler's lead back to seven points, 50-43, and the Bulldogs held on by hitting six of eight free throws attempts in the final minute.

Butler held Texas to a season-low 48 points.  The Longhorns hit just 17 of 50 (34%) shots from the floor and eight of 12 (66.7%) from the free throw line.  Texas out-rebounded the Bulldogs, 41-28.

Jonathan Holmes led the Longhorns with 15 points, while Taylor added 14, including 12 in the second half.  Dunham was the lone Butler player to score in double-figures, but Woods added nine points and nine rebounds, while senior Alex Barlow, sohomore Andrew Chrabascz and freshman Kelan Martin each finished with seven points.

Junior Roosevelt Jones, Butler's second-leading scorer, left the game in the second half with a sprained left knee, but later returned after receiving treatment.  He continued treatment after the game and should be available for Saturday's contest.

The win was Butler's 20th all-time in NCAA Tournament play.  The Bulldogs improved to 9-4 in their opening tournament game since 1962.