Georgetown shot 52 percent in taking a 78-63 win over Butler Saturday afternoon at McDonough Arena on the Georgetown campus in Washington, D.C.
 
The host Hoyas went 24-of-46 from the field, including 11-of-22 from behind the arc, using that hot shooting to overcome 23 turnovers. Georgetown had a 38-22 halftime lead behind eight made three-pointers over the first 20 minutes. A 16-3 run midway through the first half opened up the Georgetown lead to 29-12 with 6:36 to play in the opening stanza. At that point, Georgetown was 6-of-9 from three-point range.
 
"We didn't come out with the energy or the effort we needed to," said coach LaVall Jordan. "Our early turnovers led to three-pointers for them and that dug a really big early hole. Credit to Georgetown. They came out and set the tone."
 
With the result, Georgetown improves to 6-10 on the season, while Butler falls to 7-11 and 6-9 in BIG EAST play. The two teams split the season series after Butler won Jan. 6 at Hinkle (63-55).
 
Butler shot only 39 percent from the field and had 15 of their own turnovers. The Bulldogs assisted on 19 of their 23 made field goals, including 11 assists from Aaron Thompson. That total was one shy of his career-high. Bryce Golden, Chuck Harris and Bo Hodges led the Bulldogs with 12 points apiece.
 
Five Hoyas made it to double figures, led by Jahvon Blair and Chudier Bile with 17 points. Georgetown had a 38-20 rebounding edge. The Hoyas went 19-of-22 from the free throw line. Butler had only nine attempts with their first one not coming until 7:43 remaining in the game.
 
Christian David hit three from behind the arc for his points of the season as he returns from a torn ACL. Bryce Nze, after leading the Bulldogs with 19 points Tuesday against St. John's, did not return after the first three minutes of the second half with a groin injury suffered in that St. John's game.
 
Georgetown's lead got as large as 25 with 11:39 remaining. A Butler run cut it to 65-51 on a Jair Bolden four-point play with 4:15 to play. The Hoyas then closed the door.
 
The Bulldogs return to Hinkle Fieldhouse for a Wednesday night contest against Marquette. Tickets are still available through the Butler Ticket Office for the 6:30 p.m. tip.