INDIANAPOLIS – Anna Mortag scored a game-high 16 points to help Butler defeat Chicago State in the 2022-23 regular season opener Wednesday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Butler shot 47.4 percent from the field in the victory and outrebounded the Cougars 42-30.
 
Mortag scored half of her points from the free throw line by going 8-for-8 from the charity stripe. She added seven rebounds, two steals and an assist to her stat line in just under 20 minutes of playing time. Caroline Strande and Kelsy Taylor joined Mortag in double figures. Strande also went 8-for-8 from the free throw line to help net 12 points. The Bulldogs went 23-for-30 from the line as a team. Taylor jumped off the BU bench and provided the team with 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
 
The Bulldogs led by four at the half (31-27) and would double Chicago State up in the third quarter 28-14 to take full control of the action. A 6-0 scoring run in the third pushed the Bulldog lead to 10 and a pair of free throws from Tenley Dowell on the next trip would give BU their largest lead of the game at 12 points.
 
Kendall Wingler would enter the game in the second half and lead Butler with three 3-point field goals. Sydney Jaynes matched her point total with nine points on 4-for-4 shooting. BU would cruise to the finish line by winning the fourth quarter 25-16 taking the teams to the final score of 84-57.
 
STAT OF THE GAME: It was a true team win for Butler with the Bulldog bench outscoring the Chicago State bench 45-20.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Shay Frederick scored eight points in her BU debut with four boards and three assists
- Rachel McLimore provided BU with six points and two steals
- Jessica Carrothers and Tenley Dowell added six points each
- Butler outscored Chicago State 38-22 in the paint
- BU was aggressive on offense and made more free throws (23) and CSU attempted (12)
- The Bulldogs shot 69.2 percent in the second quarter (9-13)
- Butler forced 19 Cougar turnovers which resulted in 18 points
- Tae'lor Willard led Chicago State with 12 points

UP NEXT: Butler's next game is set for Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 PM. The Bulldogs will host the IUPUI Jags inside Hinkle Fieldhouse.