Butler put up 60 points in the second half to open the 2023-24 season with a 94-55 win over visiting Eastern Michigan Monday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
 
Six Bulldogs scored in double figures, led by Jahmyl Telfort's 18 points. The Bulldogs shot 57 percent from the field for the game.
 
The 60 second-half points by the Bulldogs were the most in a half by Butler dating back to a 63-point performance in the second half of a Jan. 16, 2017 game against Marquette.

After a sluggish 5-for-15 start from the field, the Bulldogs made seven straight attempts as part of a 14-0 run that erased EMU's final lead of the game and resulted in a 30-17 advantage with 6:14 to play in the first half. Butler led by eight at the half before the flood gates opened.

COACH THAD MATTA: "I liked the fact that we had to slug it out a bit in the first half. I wanted to see how we would react. In the second half, we were able to clean up our turnovers and rebound better. That allowed us to get out and score in transition. There are a lot of areas that we can improve and I'm excited about that."
 
OF NOTE:

• After committing nine first-half turnovers, Butler had only one in the second half.
• Pierre Brooks had a career-high 16 points for the Bulldogs.
• Four Bulldogs added 13 points each – Posh Alexander, DJ Davis, Andre Screen and Connor Turnbull.
• The 13 points for Turnbull were a career-high and his first time in double figures as a Bulldog.
• Screen and Turnbull combined to go 11-for-12 from the field.
• Alexander had a game-high eight assists and three steals.
• Jalen Thomas had a game-best seven rebounds in only 18 minutes of action.
• The Bulldogs made 16 of their 19 free throw attempts.
• Butler's defense limited EMU to only 32-percent shooting and forced the visitors into 18 turnovers.
• Butler had 48 points in the paint.
• Arne Osojnik and Tyson Acuff led Eastern Michigan with 13 points apiece.
• This served as the first match-up between Butler and Eastern Michigan.
• Butler center Jalen Thomas returned to action after sitting out Wednesday's exhibition to rest a foot issue.
• 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 continue a season-opening homestand Friday night, hosting Southeast Missouri State at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The tip against the 2023 Ohio Valley Conference tournament champions is slated for 8:30 p.m.