Box Score
OMAHA – The Butler women's basketball team recorded a 73-67 victory at DJ Sokol Arena on Sunday afternoon to improve to 6-3 in BIG EAST action at the mid-way point of the conference season.
Kristen Spolyar and
Naira Caceres combined to score all 16 fourth quarter points for the Bulldogs to help pull out the road win.
Spolyar led all players with 25 points. She made eight field goals and also knocked down eight free throws in 38 minutes of game time. Caceres ended the game with 14 points and
Upe Atosu added 12 to help the BU bench outscore Creighton 26-2.
Butler and Creighton were squared up at 37-37 at the half. Creighton went on an 8-0 scoring run in the first quarter to break a 10-10 tie. They hit four of their first five attempts from 3-point land to build their lead. Rembao and Carda combined for 16 of Creighton's 22 first quarter points. Butler was able to stick around by shooting 70% from the field (7-10).
Butler picked up their defensive intensity in the second quarter to win that frame 21-15. The 'Dawgs took a 33-31 advantage into the media timeout after hitting three-straight 3-pointers.
Genesis Parker stepped into the first one from the top of the key.
Upe Atosu would hit the next trip down and
Naira Caceres would end the spree with her second triple of the game.
Butler hit four 3-pointers at the start of the third quarter to build a 51-43 lead. Each shot from downtown came from a different student-athlete. The 'Dawgs would lead by five heading into the fourth by outscoring Creighton 20-15.
The BU lead would grow to seven at the final media timeout. Spolyar scored six of Butler's first eight points in the fourth. She finished with 11 in the quarter and Caceres filled in with five.
Three of the five for Caceres in the fourth came in a huge moment of the game. The 'Dawgs were up two at 67-65 with 2:18 left in regulation. Caceres hit her fourth 3-pointer to give her team some breathing room and free throws down the stretch would keep BU in front. Caceres went 4-for-4 from 3-point range. As a team, Butler hit nine of their 18 attempts.
Butler has three-straight home games coming up on the schedule. Friday, Jan. 31 the Bulldogs will host Xavier at 7 PM. That contest will serve as Daddy/Daughter Day, an annual event that includes tickets to the game, a pre-game meal, and fun activities. Visit www.butlersports.com/dadsday to register.
