INDIANAPOLIS – An 11-0 scoring run late in the third quarter helped Butler defeat Illinois State by the final score of 58-56. The Bulldogs recorded their fifth win of the season and end the month of November undefeated at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
 
Butler trailed by five with 5:14 remaining in the third quarter, but their 11-0 scoring run would give them a six-point lead with just 1:50 left on the game clock. Kristen Spolyar led the charge with an old-fashioned three-point play. Whitney Jennings and Naira Caceres would each hit a 3-pointer during that stretch and Jennings would add a layup to get Butler back on top.
 
Jennings led Butler with 17 points. She was one of three 'Dawgs to reach a double figure scoring total. Spolyar scored 15 and Michelle Weaver was great with 10 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, four steals and not a single turnover.
 
The turnover battle was huge in the outcome with BU scoring 23 points off 24 Redbird miscues. Butler only shot 34 percent from the field, connecting on 20 of their 58 attempts. 3-point and free throw shooting didn't go well for Butler in their first game back from the Thanksgiving holiday. BU shot just 4-for-21 from distance and 14-25 from the charity stripe.
 
The two teams only combined for 18 points after the first quarter with each side coming up with nine. The Redbirds would take a three-point lead into the half by winning the second quarter 18-15. Butler's best 10-minute stretch came in the third with them winning that frame 19-14.
 
The two evenly matched teams would come together at 50-50 in the fourth quarter with 2:57 to play. Jennings came up with two big points with just less than a minute to play to give Butler a three-point cushion. She would go on to ice the game from the free throw line, hitting her final three attempts.
 
Butler will return to action on Sunday, Dec. 2 when they host the Ball State Cardinals. Tip is slated for 2 PM.