GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | BEDN
 
INDIANAPOLIS – The Bulldogs will visit the Cintas Center on Saturday afternoon for a 2 PM tip at Xavier. Each team is still searching for their first conference win of the season. BU holds onto an 8-5 overall record while the Musketeers come in at 1-12.
 
Bulldog Talk
- Kristen Spolyar ranks 13th on the BU all-time scoring list with 1,238 career points.
- Spolyar ranks third in the BIG EAST and 43rd in the NCAA with an 18.8 scoring average.
- Spolyar has scored in double figures in 12 of Butler's 13 games this season.
- Spolyar's 10 defensive rebounds vs. Seton Hall was a new career-high total.
- Spolyar ranks seventh all-time at Butler with 285 made free throws and sixth in field goal attempts.
- Butler ranks second in the BIG EAST in rebound margin (+2.4), and steals per game (11.1).
- Shae Brey scored a season-high 12 points vs. Seton Hall. She made 5-of-6 from the field and knocked down each free throw attempt.
- BU shot 47.9% from the field vs. Seton Hall, posting their second-best shooting percentage of the season.
- 12 of Upe Atosu's 20 made field goals this year have been from 3-point range.
- Jamilyn Robinson recorded the first block of her collegiate career vs. St. John's.
- Butler leads the conference and ranks ninth in the NCAA in made free throws and free throw attempts.
 
Scouting Xavier                                                                                      
The Musketeers are 1-12 on the season with the lone win coming in the season opener vs. Utah (70-63). Preseason All-BIG EAST selection A'riana Gray leads the team with a 14.7 scoring average. The 6-0 junior also leads the team in rebounding (9.5). First-year head coach Melanie Moore took over at Xavier after spending seven seasons at Michigan. She takes over a young roster that includes just one senior. Most recently, Xavier lost by eight to St. John's and by 21 vs. Seton Hall.
 
All-Time Series                                                                                       
Butler leads the all-time series over Xavier 26-19. Head Coach Kurt Godlevske is 7-5 all-time vs. the Musketeers with two of those seven wins coming in the BIG EAST Conference Tournament. The first-ever meeting between the two programs was played in the 1982-83 season with BU coming out on top 71-64.
 
Last Trip to Cintas Center                                                                    
Katherine Strong scored 18 points in 26 minutes last year when Butler played at Xavier. She and current assistant coach Whitney Jennings combined to net 38 of Butler's 63 total points in the 21-point victory. Xavier's top performance came from A'riana Gray. She posted a double-double with 15 points and 21 rebounds.
 
Mirror Image                                                                                          
Butler's first BIG EAST home games last year came against Seton Hall and St. John's and then included a road trip to Xavier. The 'Dawgs started conference action 5-0 last season, but rest at 0-2 currently. BU has never started 0-3 against BIG EAST foes.
 
Parker at Point                                                                                       
Genesis Parker has recorded more assists than turnovers in five of Butler's last six games. She didn't commit a single turnover vs. St. John's, marking the second time this year she has ended a game with zero turnovers.
 
Caceres Continues To Play Well                                                         
Naira Caceres took a knee to the head against Seton Hall when a Pirate jumped into a pile for a jump ball. She left the game momentarily due to a cut, but continued to impact the game with eight points and five rebounds in 15 minutes of action. She followed that contest with six points and two steals vs. St. John's.
 
Charity Stripe                                                                                         
Kristen Spolyar leads the BIG EAST with 70 made free throws on 90 attempts. She ranks seventh in the NCAA in free throw attempts and ninth in makes. In other free throw news, Shae Brey hasn't missed a free throw since Nov. 29. Upe Atosu has the best percentage on the team (90.9).
 
First Weekend                                                                                        
A'riana Gray averaged 21 points per game against Seton Hall and St. John's while Kristen Spolyar led BU with a scoring average at 14.5. The 'Dawgs only averaged 52 points per game, but the Musketeers allowed 79.0. Each team was -15.0 in scoring margin after the first two conference games of the season.
 
Spolyar Shoots up All-Time Scoring List at BU                                 
Kristen Spolyar ranks 13th on the Butler all-time scoring list. 12th place is held by Susan Lester (1,275). Spolyar's top scoring performance this season came against Detroit Mercy when she tied the BU single-game point's record with 37 against the Titans.
 
Up Next                                                                                                                  
Butler will play at Villanova on Friday, Jan. 10 and at Georgetown on Sunday, Jan. 12. Each contest features an early tip. The Wildcats will host BU at 11:30 AM. The game vs. the Hoyas will get started at 2 PM.