Butler capped its non-conference slate with a dominating 107-46 win over Western Illinois Thursday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs made 18 three-pointers, tying the second-best performance from behind the arc in program history. With the win, Butler will enter BIG EAST play with a 10-3 record.
 
Butler shot 58 percent from three-point range (18-31) and 56 percent overall. Five Bulldogs scored in double figures, headlined by 20 from both Kelan Martin and Henry Baddley. Baddley made seven of eight attempts from the field and all four from behind the arc. His previous career-high was nine.
 
Almost as impressive was Butler's defense, which limited the visiting Leathernecks (7-4) to 33-percent shooting and only 1-of-15 from behind the arc. WIU entered the game shooting 52 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range. WIU's top three scorers averaged a combined 45.9 points entering Thursday's game; Brandon Gilbeck, Kobe Webster and Dalan Ancrum scored 14 points total.
 
"We prepared well and we got the byproduct of execution tonight," said Butler coach LaVall Jordan. "Tonight was all about our defense. Our guys were locked in, our ball-screen coverages were good, and we contested every shot. It was a great effort; now let's see how consistent we can be."
 
Butler's 18 three-pointers tied the second-best mark in program history (at Detroit, Feb. 25, 2006), just shy of the 20 hit at Cleveland State, Feb. 8, 2007. Butler hit its first four attempts from behind the arc to take a 16-2 lead within the first four minutes.
 
The lead grew to 20 with six minutes to play in the first half, and was 40 midway through the second half. The 61-point margin is Butler's largest since beating The Citadel, 144-71, in the 2015-16 season opener.
 
Nate Fowler got the start in place of Tyler Wideman, who missed the first game of his career after having surgery to remove his wisdom teeth Wednesday. Fowler responded with his first career double-double, featuring 11 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. He added a career-best four blocks.
 
Eighteen of Martin's 20 points came in the first half as he vaulted from 14^th to 11^th on Butler's career scoring list. He now has 1,537 career points, passing Shelvin Mack, Wayne Burris and Roosevelt Jones Thursday night. Martin added a career-high seven assists.
 
Paul Jorgensen also set a career-high with 18 points. Sean McDermott added 12 points.
 
The Bulldogs had 23 assists on 37 made field goals. Butler forced 19 WIU turnovers and turned those into 31 points.
 
The Bulldogs take a few days off for the holidays before opening BIG EAST play on Wednesday, Dec. 27, when the team travels to the nation's capital to face Georgetown. The 6:30 p.m. tip will air nationally on FS1.