CINCINNATI – Butler erased an early first quarter deficit and was able to grab a 46-41 lead heading into the fourth quarter on Friday night at Xavier, but the Bulldogs ran out of gas over the final 10 minutes to take a 55-47 loss. The setback moves Butler to 7-14 on the year while Xavier improves to 15-6.

Aliyah Zantt hit four second half 3-pointers to score a game-high 24 points. Her individual effort matched with Butler only scoring one point in the final quarter led to the 55-47 outcome.

Brittany Ward led Butler with 15 points and 11 rebounds. The true freshman added one assist, one steal and a blocked shot. Belle Obert was also in the box score with a double-double. The senior scored 14 points off the bench and supplied the team with 12 boards.

While Zantt was the top performer for the Musketeers, Xavier also got nine points and eight rebounds from Jenna Crittendon and a team-high 13 rebounds from Maddison Blackwell.

The opening minutes of the first quarter belonged to the home team as Xavier raced out to a 9-0 lead forcing the Bulldogs to call a timeout. Adjustments were made on each end and the Bulldogs responded by outscoring Xavier 10-4 over the final five minutes of the first to cut the deficit to two (14-12).

Back-to-back 3-point field goals from Belle Obert in the second quarter sparked the BU offense and the 'Dawgs would eventually take a two point lead after a triple from Taylor Buford. After 20 full minutes the Bulldogs would climb back into the driver's seat to hold a 29-26 advantage.

The third quarter was much like the third with Butler posting 17 points. A layup from Taylor Buford gave the Bulldogs a six point cushion late in the third and a single free throw from the home team would give the 'Dawgs the advantage heading into the fourth.

The offense simply never got going in the fourth quarter for Butler as the team shot 0-for-17 over the final 10 minutes of action. After shooting 40% in the opening half, Butler dipped to 29% for the game by shooting just 19 percent in the second half (6-for-31).

Butler will return to Hinkle Fieldhouse one week from tonight after playing five of their last seven games on the road. The month of February will begin with an 11:30 AM tip vs. Creighton on Friday, Feb. 5. Watch the action live on the BIG EAST Digital Network.