PROVIDENCE – The Butler women's basketball team earned their eighth victory of the season on Saturday afternoon by recording a 63-62 road win at Providence. The Bulldogs dug in defensively and got a stop on the final possession to find the win column.
 
How It Happened
Providence had a ball in the air with no time left on the game clock, but the 3-point attempt from the right wing rimmed out allowing Butler to hang on for a 63-62 road win. Anna Mortag was outstanding against the Friars with a game-high 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Mortag was also credited with four rebounds, two assists, one steal and a block.
 
Mortag hit three 3-pointers at Alumni Hall to help BU reach 10 as a team. Rachel McLimore was the team leader with four made shots from behind the arc. The graduate transfer ended the game with 12 total points and a team-best six rebounds.
 
Jordan Meulemans matched Mortag with three made 3's vs. the Friars. The true freshman came off the bench to notch 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
 
Butler started the game 3-for-6 from 3-point range with early makes from McLimore, Mortag and McLimore. The hot shooting helped Butler jump in front at the start, but the Friars would use a 7-0 scoring run to win the first quarter 16-13.
 
The Bulldogs trailed the Friars by one at the half 33-32. Each team made 11 field goals over the opening 20 minutes. BU had the 3-point advantage, but the Friars were on top thanks to going 7-for-7 from the free throw line.
 
The Friars made a move in the third quarter and a 9-0 scoring run would give the home team a 44-36 lead. PC outscored BU 11-4 to start the third frame, but the Bulldogs battled back to get within three heading to the fourth.
 
Crunch time belonged to Butler with the Bulldogs limiting the Friars to just 11 points over the final 10 minutes. BU shot 50 percent from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range (3-7) to earn the win.
 
Stat of the Game
Butler limited Providence to just four made field goals in the fourth quarter. They outscored the Friars 15-11 over the final 10 minutes to win.
 
Inside the Box Score
- There six ties and 10 lead changes during Saturday's game
- Butler shot 10-for-27 from 3-point range (37%)
- Rachel McLimore hit back-to-back 3-pointers to make the game 44-42 in the third
- Jordan Meulemans tied the game at 51-51 in the fourth
- Anna Mortag gave Butler a 56-53 lead with 5:39 to play in the game
- Meulemans extended the Bulldog lead to six with a 3-pointer with 3:40 to go
- Butler opened the fourth quarter on an 8-2 scoring run
- The Bulldogs outrebounded the Friars 31-28
- Butler's bench doubled up Providence 19-8
- Caroline Strande scored nine points, pulled down four rebounds and had two assists
- Kelsy Taylor came up with six points, five rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes
 
Up Next
The Bulldogs will start a three-game home stand on Wednesday, Feb. 15 when they host the Georgetown Hoyas at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The annual Pink Out game will follow on Feb. 21 and Senior Day is set for Friday, Feb. 24.