A strong second half led the Bulldogs to a 68-50 win over visiting Morehead State Friday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. With the win, Butler improves to 5-0 on the season.

Butler locked down defensively in the second half, limiting Morehead State to 7-of-25 shooting (28 percent) over the final 20 minutes as Butler took control after the teams were deadlocked at 30-30 at halftime.

"We knew coming into this one what Morehead State was capable of defensively, and while we were sloppy offensively at times, a lot of that had to do with their defense," said Butler coach LaVall Jordan. "I thought we adjusted well in the second half and moved the ball better. Defensively, Henry Baddley gave us great minutes early in the second half as we were able to start off with some key stops."

Morehead State falls to 4-2 in a game that was part of the Hall of Fame Classic, which will continue for the Bulldogs in Kansas City Monday night.

Senior Kamar Baldwin led the Bulldogs with 17 points and eight rebounds. Bryce Nze added 16 points (8-of-10 shooting) and six rebounds, as Butler out-rebounded the Eagles, 32-27.

An 11-1 run, capped by the first of back-to-back three-pointers by Jordan Tucker, gave the Bulldogs a 43-33 lead with 12:53 remaining. That was Butler's first double-figure lead of the game and it coincided with Morehead State making only one of its first eight attempts of the half thanks to Butler's defense. The 18-point margin at the final horn was just one point shy of the Bulldogs' largest lead.

Butler posted its fifth consecutive single-digit turnover game to open the 2019-20 campaign, committing only nine turnovers. Morehead State had steals on each of those nine miscues. The Bulldogs shot 54 percent from the field in the second half, knocking down six three-pointers. Butler shot 46 percent for the game.

Morehead State shot 34 percent for the game, including 5-of-20 from behind the arc. Butler's defense has limited its first five opponents to an average of only 53.4 points per game.

The Bulldogs now venture away from Hinkle Fieldhouse for the first time this season, traveling to Kansas City for two more games as part of the Hall of Fame Classic. Butler and Missouri will tip at 6 p.m. (Central) Monday night on ESPNU. The Bulldogs will then play either Oklahoma or Stanford Tuesday night.