Butler fought back to take a brief second-half lead before No. 19 Xavier retook control and a 78-66 win Saturday night at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati.
 
With the result, Butler is now 14-17 (6-14 BIG EAST). Xavier improves to 23-8 (15-5 BIG EAST).
 
TOP DAWG PERFORMANCE: Jayden Taylor led the Bulldogs with 16 points.
 
STAT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Xavier had a 15-6 advantage in second-chance points thanks to 12 offensive rebounds.
 
HOW IT TRANSPIRED:

• Xavier took its first double-digit lead at 24-13 with 6:47 remaining in the first half.
• The Musketeers shot 52 percent in the first half to take a 37-27 halftime lead.
• Butler fought back after halftime, using a 7-0 run to take a 50-48 lead with 12:08 remaining in the game. At that point, Butler had made nine of its first 12 attempts from the field in the second half.
• Xavier immediately responded with a 12-2 run to retake the lead at 60-52. Butler would only get within six one more time.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Xavier's Colby Jones had a team-high 20 points and eight rebounds. He went 8-for-10 from the field.
• Taylor was joined in double figures for Butler by Chuck Harris (13) and Jalen Thomas (12).
• Xavier shot 54 percent for the game.
• Xavier went 18-for-27 from the free throw line, while Butler shot 13-for-15.
• Xavier had a 37-20 advantage in rebounds.
• Eric Hunter Jr. had seven assists for Butler, tying a season-high.  

OF NOTE:

• Manny Bates exited the game with 6:14 remaining in the first half after aggravating a shoulder injury. He did not return to the game.
• Butler won the first meeting between the two teams Feb. 10 at Hinkle Fieldhouse (69-67).
• Butler coach Thad Matta led the Xavier program for three seasons (2001-04). Saturday night was his first game coaching at the Cintas Center since departing for Ohio State at the conclusion of the 2003-04 season.
• Butler was without Ali Ali, DJ Hughes and John-Michael Mulloy for Saturday's contest.

 
UP NEXT: Butler now turns its attention to the 2023 BIG EAST Tournament in New York City. The Bulldogs and St. John's will be the first game of the tournament Wednesday (3 p.m. on FS1).