The Bulldogs used a masterful defensive performance to help them fly past Xavier 63-38. On a night where the offense was stagnant, the Bulldogs relied on their defense to help them move to 8-4 in the BIG EAST. Butler forced 20 turnovers leading to 26 points on the offensive end. Kristen Spolyar filled up the stat sheet defensively and offensively, scoring a game high 18 points which include five three-pointers, a new career high, to go along with five steals. 

"Everybody chipped in and did a really nice job of contributing to the win," Head Coach Kurt Godlevske said after the win. "Everybody did their job whether it was scoring, passing or rebounding we did it all well tonight. "What can you say about Shae, stepping into the starting lineup and having a fantastic night, maybe her best night as a Bulldog."

It was a different group of players leading the Dawgs against Xavier, as usual suspects Tori Schickel and Whitney Jennings were held at bay for most of the game. Instead it was Spolyar and Shae Brey who – in just her third start  this season– put up a career-high 13 points and 7 rebounds while locking down Xavier's A'riana Gray. Gray had entered the game averaging a double-double, but Brey held her to just 8 points on 4-11 shooting.

Butler led from start to finish, opening the game on a 16-6 run to set the tone early. The Bulldogs did not miss a shot during that run as they made their first seven field goals of the game. Xavier struggled out of the gate, ending the first quarter with just 8 points on 3-11 shooting.

What Xavier lacked on offense, they made up for on defense as they shut down the Dawgs two leading scorers (Schickel and Jennings) for most of the game. Jennings eventually broke through the pressure, forcing a key foul on Deja Ross with two seconds to play in the first quarter. Jennings hit all three free throws to give the Bulldogs an 11-point advantage.

The second quarter saw the Bulldogs continue to dominate defensively. After making a three with 9:44 to go in the half, Xavier did not score a basket for over five minutes, allowing Butler to push the lead to 29-11. It was Xavier's three-point shooting that hurt them the most, connecting on just nine of 31 attempts. Butler countered by making nine of 21 shots from behind the arc. To top it off, Butler held the Musketeers to just five made two-point shots in the game.

The Bulldogs kept their foot on the gas pedal coming out of the locker room, opening the second half on an 11-0 run. When Schickel went to the bench with three fouls in the third quarter, it was Naira Caceres who stepped up for coach Godlevske and scored four points while her teammate was on the bench.

With Jennings and Schickel locked up for most of the game, the Bulldogs relied on their passing to get teammates open shots. The Bulldogs assisted on 18 of the teams 22 made baskets with Michelle Weaver's six assists leading the team.

Butler also beat Xavier in the fouls category, committing only 10 in the contest while forcing 12 on the visiting Musketeers. Butler shot 10-13 from the stripe while Xavier was only able to go 1-2 from the line. The Butler offense was too much for Xavier to handle, as their top duo of Gray and Ross both had to play limited minutes after collecting four fouls early.  

The Bulldogs maintained control throughout the entire game, even when coach Godlevske emptied his bench midway through the fourth quarter. Freshman Ellen Ross and Emilia Sexton both played valuable minutes for Coach G, playing solid defense down the stretch to help the Bulldogs secure the victory.

With the win, Butler completed the season sweep of Xavier to move to 18-5 on the season and 8-4 in the BIG EAST. Butler now has a whole week off to prepare for the Creighton Blue Jays, who come into Hinkle Fieldhouse to take on the Bulldogs on February 15.