Box Score

Five Bulldogs scored in double figures and Butler's defensive effort limited visiting Saginaw Valley State to 32-percent shooting as Butler won its second and final exhibition, 77-50, Saturday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The game was played in front of a sell-out crowd of 9,100.

After SVSU scored the first basket of the second half to trim Butler's advantage to five at 34-29, the Bulldogs responded with a 15-0 run to put the game out of reach. Junior Kelan Martin keyed that run and finished the evening with 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Butler outscored the Cardinals, 43-23, in the second half.

"I said this last week (following the team's first exhibition), but this team knows we have a long way to go in a lot of areas," said coach Chris Holtmann. "We were more connected tonight. Guys did a better job of doing their job. I was really pleased with our approach defensively, and we all recognize that is an area where we need to be better this season.

"I also can't say enough about our fans supporting this team by selling out an exhibition. We're going to try every game to make it a fun night for those 9,100."
Martin was joined in double figures by Sean McDermott, Avery Woodson and Tyler Lewis, who each had 11, as well as Andrew Chrabascz's 10 points. McDermott's night including 3-of-4 shooting from behind the arc.

Tyler Wideman pulled down 12 rebounds, leading Butler to a 40-25 rebounding edge. The Bulldogs shot 53 percent on the night, highlighted by 42 points in the paint.

Butler's defense limited Saginaw Valley State, a team ranked in the Top 10 of most Division II polls that also played No. 12 Michigan State within 10 points earlier this week, to 17-of-53 shooting, including only five field goals after the intermission.

Butler opens the regular season Saturday night (Nov. 12), hosting Northern Colorado at 7:30 p.m. The contest will also air on FS2. Tickets are still available.