WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Bulldogs picked up a 66-53 win over Ohio State on Thursday afternoon to improve to 9-1 on the season. Michelle Weaver tied her career-high with 25 points in the outcome and Whitney Jennings added 20 points to give the Bulldogs the 13-point win in the West Palm Beach Invitational.
 
Weaver hit nine of her 13 shots to net a game-high 25 points. She came out of the gate hot, by knocking down two 3-point field goals in the opening minutes of the contest. She ended the game shooting 4-for-6 from distance.
 
Butler's one-two punch vs. the Buckeyes featured Weaver and Jennings combining for 45 points. They became the first BU teammates to each score 20 points in a game since March of 2018 when Spolyar and Jennings helped Butler defeat Providence in the BIG EAST Tournament.
 
The opening 10 minutes of the game was critical in the outcome with Butler winning the frame 18-7. The Bulldogs would lead Ohio State 11-2 at the first media timeout with Weaver hitting a pair of triples and Jennings connecting from long range to help build the lead.
 
The stingy Bulldog defense limited Ohio State to just 2-of-11 shooting over the first 10 minutes of action (18.2%). They started the game just 1-for-7 from 3-point range.
 
Butler would ride their first quarter momentum into the early stages of the second quarter. A 7-2 scoring run over the first two minutes would force Ohio State into a timeout. Adjustments were made and the Buckeyes would move along to win the final eight minutes 16-8.
 
Free throws played a large factor in the OSU scoring run. Nine of Ohio State's 18 points in the second quarter came from the free throw line. They held the advantage at the charity stripe after one half going 11-of-13 from the line, Butler made three of just four attempts.
 
Butler's eight-point lead at the half would be cut to six after the third quarter 50-44. Carly Santoro got the Buckeyes offense moving in the third with seven of her team-high 14 points coming in the quarter. Butler's defense eliminated Dorka Juhasz from the equation. Ohio State's top scoring threat only took three total shots and would end the contest with two points in 22 minutes.
 
Santoro couldn't continue to find success against Butler in the fourth. BU limited Ohio State to just two made field goals in the fourth quarter to collect the 66-53 win. The 'Dawgs opened the fourth on an 8-3 scoring run and would lead by 11 at the final media timeout (4:48).
 
Ohio State got within eight with a minute and a half to go, but any outside chance of a comeback would be ruled out with Whitney Jennings hitting from the line and Weaver adding her final triple of the game in the closing minute.
 
Butler ended the game shooting 43 percent from 3-point range, with Weaver and Jennings hitting six of the team's seven shots from distance. The other 3-pointer was supplied by Naira Caceres in the first half.
 
Butler won important hustle categories on Thursday to pick up their third-straight win. They outrebounded Ohio State 36-26 and won the points in the paint battle 28-14. Butler also forced 17 Ohio State turnovers which resulted in 17 points.
 
Day two of the West Palm Beach Invitational will feature Butler player against Eastern Michigan at 1 PM. The game will be played at Rubin Arena, located on the campus of Palm Beach Atlantic University.