INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler women's basketball team found the win column on Wednesday afternoon by posting a 75-67 victory over the visiting Evansville Purple Aces. Celena Taborn led BU with 26 points in 24 minutes of playing time. She hit 11 of her 13 field goal attempts and also pulled down six rebounds.
 
How it Happened
Butler built a lead early in the game by getting the ball inside. Celena Taborn scored the first six points of the afternoon and the Bulldogs would lead 6-0 at the first media timeout. The lead would grow to 10-0 at the four minute mark, but the Bulldogs would go without a field goal over the final 3:46 of the first quarter which led to a 15-10 advantage after the first 10 minutes.
 
Butler's first 12 points of the game all came in the paint. Evansville struggled with just two made field goals, but they got back in the game with six made free throws.
 
The start of the second quarter helped Butler increase their lead. They went on a 7-0 scoring run to push the lead to 22-12 and forced Evansville into a timeout. A second 7-0 scoring run later in the second gave BU a 29-15 cushion and they would carry a 34-22 advantage into the half.
 
Butler outscored Evansville 19-12 in the second frame, but the Purple Aces picked up the ball pressure in the third to win that 10-minute stretch 22-13. Evansville put on a full-court press and shrunk the BU lead to 10 at 40-30 with 5:06 on the clock. Evansville added six-straight points to get within four, but Kendall Wingler would dial up from long distance in front of the BU bench to keep the lead.
 
The two teams went into the fourth quarter with Butler leading by three. UE tied the game at 47-47 on their first possession of the fourth, but would never take the lead. Taborn continued to hurt Evansville inside during crunch time. She hit all three of her field goal attempts to post seven points in the fourth. Zoe Jackson and Alex Richard each added six which allowed Butler to record their first win of the season.
 
Stat of the Game
Butler never trailed on Wednesday afternoon. Evansville tied the contest at 47-47 early in the fourth quarter, but Trinity White put Butler back on top with a 3-pointer.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Zoe Jackson had 11 points, four assists and two steals in the victory.
- Alex Richard came off the bench to supply BU with 10 points four assists and two steals.
- Kendall Wingler hit two 3-pointers to score nine points for BU. She added five rebounds.
- Tenley Dowell was great off the bench with 10 points and nine rebounds.
- Sydney Jaynes had six points, five boards, three assists and two blocks.
- Butler shot 43.5% from the field and 81% from the free throw line.
- The Bulldogs dished out 16 assists on 27 made field goals.
- Je'Naiya Davis led Evansville with 24 points and seven rebounds.
 
Up Next
Butler's next game will be played one week from today at Xavier. The Musketeers will host the Bulldogs on Dec. 29. Opening tip is set for 2 PM at the Cintas Center.