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INDIANAPOLIS – The first game of the 2019-20 season will feature Butler hosting Wagner on Saturday, Nov. 9. The 12 PM tip will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Fans unable to attend Hinkle Fieldhouse can stream the game on YouTube.
 
Bulldog Talk
- Butler defeated UIndy 70-46 in exhibition action.
- Tenley Dowell scored a team-high 18 points in her Hinkle Fieldhouse debut.
- Kristen Spolyar filled up the box score with 12 points, six steals and five rebounds.
- Spolyar and Whitney Jennings will be recognized pregame for reaching 1,000 career points last year.
- Butler recorded 20 steals vs. UIndy, forcing 30 total turnovers.
- A year ago, BU ranked 13th in the NCAA in total steals (356).
- Butler started the 2018-19 season 15-1.
- The 2018-19 Bulldogs were the 11th team in program history to notch 20+ wins in a single-season.
- Butler went 14-4 at Hinkle Fieldhouse last year.
- Butler led the BIG EAST in scoring defense (58.5), field goal pct defense (.370), steals (356), and turnovers forced (18.4) last year.
 
Scouting Wagner                                                                                                  
The Seahawks opened the 2019-20 season by playing at #4/5 Maryland on Nov. 5. The Terps posted a 119-56 victory over Wagner in front of 8,368 fans. Alex Cowan and Emilija Krista Grava combined to score 45 of Wagner's 56 total points on Tuesday. Cowan came off the bench to lead the Seahawks in scoring. She hit four of her seven field goals from 3-point range to net 25 points. She also helped on the glass with five rebounds. Krista Grava led Wagner with nine made field goals for 20 points. A year ago, Krista Grava helped lead the Seahawks to a 10-20 overall record. Eight of their 10 wins came in the NEC.
 
Driven by Defense                                                                                               
Butler limited UIndy to just seven points in the first quarter and six in the third to win by 24 points. The scored 29 points off 30 UIndy turnovers.
 
Spolyar Named Preseason All-BIG EAST                                           
Kristen Spolyar was recognized as a Preseason All-BIG EAST talent. A year ago, Spolyar started in all 33 games and ranked second on the team in scoring at 13.2 ppg. She reached 1,000 career points by scoring 13 in Butler's Sweet Sixteen WNIT contest at Cincinnati. Other top performances in 2018-19 included a season-high 23-point outing vs. St. John's and hitting five 3-pointers in a win over Xavier.
 
Winning in the Classroom                                                                   
Kristen Spolyar, Emilia Sexton, Ellen Ross, Naira Caceres, and Shae Brey all held a grade-point average over 3.00 last year to make the BIG EAST All-Academic Team.
 
'Dawgs Welcome Fever                                                                        
In September, the Indiana Fever announced that Butler's historic Hinkle Fieldhouse will serve as the team's home venue for the 2020, 2021 and part of the 2022 seasons. Necessitating the Fever's relocation is due to the multi-year project to upgrade and enhance Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
 
New Wrinkle in Hinkle                                                                         
Hinkle Fieldhouse underwent a $10.5 million renovation this summer. The Fieldhouse, originally constructed in 1928, now has air conditioning and an updated practice facility located in the Efroymson Family Gym. The practice gym received new flooring and lighting. It was named Matt White Court in honor of the former BU student-athlete that was a standout in both track and field and cross country during his time on campus. White passed away in February, 2019 after a 19-year battle with ALS.
 
Italy Trip                                                                                                                
Butler spent 10 days in Italy this August to play games against the Dutch National Team, the Florence All-Stars and the Venice All-Stars. The Bulldogs visited the Colosseum, the Vatican and took Gondola rides while visiting.
 
6-0 Start                                                                                                                 
Butler opened the 2018-19 season by winning their first six games. They averaged 77 points per game and limited the opposition to just 48 during that stretch.
 
Nine-Straight Wins                                                                                              
Butler won nine-straight games from Dec. 8 to Jan. 11 last year, making them just the fourth team in program history to rattle off nine consecutive wins. Opponents during that stretch included Akron, Indiana State, Ohio State, Eastern Michigan, Villanova, Georgetown, Seton Hall, St. John's and Xavier.
 
Happy Holidays                                                                                      
Every game for Butler during the month of December will be played inside Hinkle Fieldhouse. The final four games of the non-conference schedule line up with two home tilts to start BIG EAST play on Dec. 29. BU has never had all home games during a full month of a season.