In a game that saw both teams shoot 50 percent or better from the field, No. 22 Xavier topped Butler, 87-72, Friday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Adam Kunkel led the Musketeers with 25 points, including 4-of-8 from three-point range.

"That was a good battle," said Butler coach LaVall Jordan. "Offensively, they got going in the first half and then Kunkel hit some huge shots in the second half. Our effort was there; we just have to play smarter."

Xavier went 10-of-22 from three-point range and shot 55 percent overall from the field for the game. The Musketeers (12-2, 2-1 BIG EAST) hit six of their first nine attempts from behind the arc on their way to a 29-17 lead with 6:55 remaining in the first half. Xavier led 42-31 at the half.

Aaron Thompson's driving layup pulled Butler within 62-55 with 8:47 to play before Kunkel grabbed a loose offensive rebound and hit a three-pointer to return the game to double figures.

Thompson (20) and Bryce Golden (19) each finished the game one shy of their respective career-highs. The duo combined for 39 of the team's 72 points.

Thompson went 9-for-14 from the field. Included among his four assists was the 500^th of his career.

The Bulldogs (8-6, 1-2 BIG EAST) next set out for a three-game, six-day East coast road trip that begins with a Thursday night game at Georgetown.