Butler started the game on a 17-0 run and made 17 three-pointers overall in a runaway 89-42 win over The Citadel Saturday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
 
With the win, Butler improves to 3-1, while The Citadel is now 2-2 on the young season.
 
STAT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Simas Lukosius, Chuck Harris and Jayden Taylor each hit four three-pointers as the Bulldogs flirted with the program record of 20 (against Cleveland State, Feb. 8, 2007). Twelve of Butler's long-range bombs came in the first half.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Butler opened the game on a 17-0 run with Jayden Taylor scoring 10 of those points.
• The Bulldogs then ended the half on a 15-2 run to take a 53-22 halftime lead.
• Lukosius and Taylor led the Bulldogs with 18 points apiece; four Bulldogs registered double-figures.
• Lukosius (nine), DJ Hughes (eight) and Harris (seven) each set new career-highs in rebounds; Manny Bates pulled down nine boards.
• Eric Hunter Jr. scored 15 points to go along with six assists and a career-high five steals.
• Bates had five blocks, which were a season-high. He has had three or more blocks in each of the team's games this season.
• Pierce Thomas had a career-high nine points, including a baseline reverse dunk that brought the Hinkle faithful to their feet.
• The Bulldogs had 22 assists on 33 made field goals.
• Butler turned 17 turnovers by The Citadel into 30 points.
• The Bulldogs shot 55 percent from the field and 17-for-31 (also 55 percent) from three-point range.
• In scoring only 42 points, The Citadel shot 31 percent and went only 1-for-10 from three-point range.
• There were only a total of 14 fouls called in the game.

 
OF NOTE:

• The 47-point lead is Butler's largest win since defeating Western Illinois, 107-46, Dec. 21, 2017.
• Butler and The Citadel met once before Saturday night when Butler set program records in points and margin of victory in a 144-71 win, Nov. 14, 2015; seven Bulldogs reached double figures. 
• Butler is now 67-2 over its last 69 non-conference home games.
• Both Thad Matta (Butler) and Ed Conroy (The Citadel) return to their alma maters this season as head coaches in their second tenure at the school.
• The Bulldogs were without Myles Wilmoth, Jalen Thomas, John-Michael Mulloy, and Ali Ali against Saint Francis (Pa.) due to various injuries. 

 
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs travel to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis. Action begins Wednesday for Butler with a match-up against Tennessee. The 7:30 p.m. (Eastern) tip will air on ESPN2. Butler will also play Thursday and Friday in the event.