Butler posted its third consecutive dominating performance to open the season, running away from East Tennessee State by a score of 81-47 Monday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Butler (3-0) has outscored its first three opponents of the season by a combined 108 points in 120 minutes of play.

The Bulldog defense forced ETSU (1-2) into 19 turnovers, which Butler converted into 36 points.

Butler held a slim 12-11 lead at the 11:49 mark of the first half before closing the opening stanza on a 33-9 spurt to take a 45-20 halftime advantage.

COACH THAD MATTA: "Once again tonight, our defense really got us going. We had a good run there to close the first half. Our guys off the bench were phenomenal; gave us a great lift. Not just scoring, but with their rebounding and their defense." 
 
OF NOTE:

• Butler has scored at least 80 points in all three of its games this season (going over the 90-point mark twice); the Bulldogs scored 80 or more only six times total during the 2022-23 season.
• Connor Turnbull had six blocks, doubling his career-high. That total was one shy of the Butler single-game record.
• Butler's defense held ETSU to 31-percent shooting, the third consecutive opponent Butler has limited to 32-percent shooting or less.
• No ETSU player reached double figures, the first time that Butler's defense has accomplished that since the Feb. 29, 2020 win over DePaul.
• The Bulldogs made 11 three-pointers Monday night, with four of those coming from Landon Moore.
• Moore reached double figures for the first time as a Bulldog, finishing with 12 points.
• DJ Davis led Butler with 15 points; he added five rebounds and four assists.
• For the third straight game, Butler had at least five players in double figures as Davis and Moore were joined by Posh Alexander (13), Pierre Brooks II (10) and Jalen Thomas (10).
• For Thomas, it was his first time this season reaching double figures; he and Jahmyl Telfort had a team-high six rebounds.
• Through three games this season, nine different Bulldogs have scored in double figures in at least one game. Davis, Brooks and Alexander have each scored in double figures in all three games to start the season. 
• Butler is 73-2 over its last 75 non-conference home games.
• Butler has won 11 straight non-conference home games.
• This served as the first match-up between Butler and ETSU.
• Butler was without freshman Augusto Cassia, who sustained a strain to a muscle in his right leg more than a week ago. He is out indefinitely, and his status will be updated in the coming weeks.

 
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs travel to No. 18/19 Michigan State Friday night as part of the annual Gavitt Tip-Off Games. The tip in East Lansing is set for 6:30 p.m. on FS1.