Box Score
Butler defeated Seton Hall, 61-54, Wednesday night on the road in Newark, N.J. The Bulldogs' defense limited Seton Hall to 29-percent shooting to take the win.
No. 11 Butler is now 18-3 overall and 7-2 BIG EAST. With the win, Butler moves into a tie with Villanova atop the BIG EAST standings at the halfway point in the 18-game conference schedule.
"It was a rugged game," said Butler coach
Chris Holtmann. "I have a lot of respect for Seton Hall because of the battles we've had with them over the years."
When asked what it means to the program to be tied for the BIG EAST lead at this point, Holtmann responded, "Absolutely nothing. You don't get anything for being ahead at halftime. There is still a lot of season left."
Andrew Chrabascz led four Bulldogs in double figures with 16 points.
Kethan Savage went 6-of-10 from the field to post 15 points. He added 10 rebounds. He and
Kelan Martin (10 points, 11 rebounds) each posted a double-double. It was Martin's tenth career double-double and the third for Savage (but his first in a Butler uniform).
Kamar Baldwin added 12 points.
Butler's .352 mark from the field was a season-low, coming on the heels of a .359 performance at DePaul Saturday. However, the defensive effort was enough for the Bulldogs to once again come away with a gritty road win.
The .286 field goal percentage for Seton Hall was a season-low for a Butler opponent and was also the Pirates' worst mark in 2016-17. The Pirates made only four of 24 attempts from three-point range. Seton Hall is 13-7 on the season (3-5 BIG EAST).
After Butler built its largest lead of the game at 13 points (37-24) with 16:32 to play, Seton Hall responded with a 14-2 run to get back in the contest at 39-38 advantage Butler with 9:50 remaining. After Seton Hall briefly took a one-point lead and the game's fourth tie at 49-49, the Bulldogs once again built the lead to nine at 58-49 with 2:02 to play on a Savage three-point play that capped a 9-0 run. Butler was then able to limit the Pirates in the closing possessions, which was needed as Butler missed seven of 10 free throws down the stretch.
Both teams were slow out of the gate. Butler limited the Pirates to 21-percent shooting in the first half en route to a 26-19 halftime lead. Not since a game against Belmont Dec. 28, 2014 had Butler allowed fewer points in a half (18).
Butler took a halftime lead for the first time in its last seven contests. Despite trailing at the half in those games, the Bulldogs had pulled out victories in five of those six games.
Angel Delgado had 12 points and 22 rebounds for Seton Hall. He was one of three Pirates with 12 points. The Pirates had a 52-43 advantage on the glass, but the Bulldogs were able to extend some late possessions with offensive rebounds to pull out the win.
The Bulldogs return to action Saturday at Hinkle Fieldhouse, hosting Georgetown at 8 p.m. The game on CBS Sports Network is sold out. The Hoyas will be the first BIG EAST opponent that the Bulldogs play for a second time this season.
