INDIANAPOLIS – Butler outscored #25 DePaul 17-13 in the fourth quarter, but it wouldn't be enough to pull off the upset victory as the Blue Demons held on for a 61-54 win. Brittany Ward led all players with 19 points and the true freshman was able to add 13 rebounds to post her third double-double of the season.

Ward shot 9-of-12 from the field to net her game-high 19 points. She was one of two Bulldogs to end the game in double figures with the second being senior team captain Blaire Langlois who scored 14. Langlois hit two of her nine 3-point field goal attempts and filled up the box scored with five rebounds, three assists and a steal.

The team's assist leader was sophomore Sydney Buck who tied her career-high mark with five. Buck was held scoreless, but helped the team with three boards and two steals.

Head Coach Kurt Godlevske also got nine points and seven rebounds out of Belle Obert. The 6-2 shot blocker also ended the game with three rejections.

DePaul got off to a hot start from behind the 3-point line making all six of their triples in the opening half. Butler picked up their defensive intensity forcing the Blue Demons to shoot 0-for-10 from distance over the final 20 minutes of the contest.

It wasn't a great 3-point shooting night for the Bulldogs either as BU connected on 4 of their 16 attempts. Although they only shot 25 percent from deep, Butler made the most of their opportunities inside to shoot 41 percent for the game.

The Blue Demons opened up a ten point lead at the break and also won the third quarter 14-13. The 'Dawgs got within a single possession of DePaul early in the second half after a 3-point play from Ward, but DePaul quickly pushed the lead back up to nine midway through the third. The visitors hit some free throws down the stretch and would enjoy an 11 point cushion after three.

Butler continued to battle in the fourth and would eventually cut the lead down to just six points with a minute to play. Chanise Jenkins hit a pair of free throws to keep DePaul on top however as the nationally-ranked Blue Demons delivered win number 600 to Doug Bruno.

Butler will get back to action on Sunday with a home game against Marquette. Action on the BIG EAST Digital Network will tip-off at 2 PM.