Box Score

#24/25 Butler shot 57 percent from the field in running away from DePaul, 82-66, Sunday afternoon at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Four Bulldogs scored in double figures as Butler improves to 21-6 overall and 10-5 in BIG EAST play.

Butler's bench out-scored its counterparts from DePaul, 44-17. Nate Fowler had 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while Tyler Lewis chipped in 10 points and eight assists (against no turnovers). Kelan Martin scored 14 points to go along with a game-high eight rebounds.

"I'm pleased with the effort in a lot of ways with this one," said Butler coach Chris Holtmann. "We did a lot of good things against a team that can grind you down physically.
Holtmann was joined by Fowler, Lewis and Martin in the postgame press conference.

"I'm glad these three guys are with me here; they were the difference in the game. Players win games. I always say that, but it's especially true this time of year. Guys have stepped up to make important plays."

Butler ended the first half on a 14-0 run to take a 36-27 halftime lead in front of another sell-out crowd at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Avery Woodson had four three-pointers came in the opening 20 minutes. Butler made six of its last eight from the field in the half while DePaul missed its last seven attempts after taking a 25-20 lead.

The Bulldogs started out the second half without missing a beat. The lead was double figures at the 19:00 mark and Butler's lead extended to 22 less than nine minutes into the half. At that point, Butler was 12-of-16 from the field in the half, hitting all 11 of their two-point attempts. The Bulldogs shot 63 percent in the second half.

After Butler's lead swelled to 27 at 82-55 with 2:37 to play, DePaul closed the game on an 11-0 run for the final margin.

Butler committed only seven turnovers, including only four prior to the final media timeout. The Bulldogs out-rebounded DePaul, 31-24.

Eli Cain led DePaul with 24 points. The Blue Demons shot 49 percent from the field.

The Bulldogs return to action Wednesday with a trip to BIG EAST-leading Villanova. The 9 p.m. tip will air nationally on FS1. It's a rematch of Butler's 66-58 win over the (then) top-ranked Wildcats at Hinkle Fieldhouse Jan. 4.