Butler Postgame Press Conference (Thad Matta, Jalen Thomas)
 
Butler posted a 72-59 win over visiting Buffalo Tuesday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
 
Jalen Thomas had his best game of the season for the Bulldogs with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Jahmyl Telfort also had 18 points to go along with three numbers that each set or matched career-highs in nine rebounds, eight assists, and four steals.
 
Butler improves to 7-2 on the season with their fourth straight win, while Buffalo falls to 1-8.

COACH THAD MATTA: "We weren't very good tonight. Just from the start, we weren't as sharp as we needed to be. We didn't play as hard as we needed to. We didn't play as smart as we needed to. We have to get better. That's the bottom line. We have to play better."
 
OF NOTE:

• The Bulldogs fought through an off-night to build a 24-point advantage at 55-31 at the 14:08 mark of the second half. Butler opened the second half by scoring 20 of the first 25 points to get to that point. An extended run by Buffalo and an extended cold spell by Butler allowed the Bulls to cut it five with less than four minutes remaining (64-59). Butler closed on an 8-0 run for the final margin.
• For Thomas, tonight was the fourth double-double of his career, but his first in a Butler uniform.
• Thomas had scored a total of 23 points over his last five games before busting out for a season-high 18.
• Pierre Brooks II scored 17 points for the Bulldogs.
• Posh Alexander, one game after registering the first triple-double of his career, scored eight points, and had seven rebounds, six assists and three steals.
• Butler had a 22-9 advantage in fast-break points.
• Butler shot 45 percent from the field, but only 5-for-24 from three-point range.
• Sy Chatman led Buffalo with 16 points and eight rebounds.
• Buffalo hit six three-pointers in the second half after going 0-for-11 from behind the arc in the first half.
• Buffalo had 10 blocked shots on the night.
• Butler is 75-2 over its last 77 non-conference home games; Butler has won 13 straight non-conference home games.

 
UP NEXT: Butler continues its homestand at Hinkle Fieldhouse Saturday, hosting California for a noon tip. Tickets are still available for the game, which will also air on FS1. The Bulldogs will be at home through the team's BIG EAST opener vs. Georgetown Dec. 19.