CHICAGO – The Butler Bulldogs defeated the DePaul Blue Demons on Wednesday night for just the second time in program history. BU spoiled Senior Night for the home team by pulling out their sixth conference win of the season. The victory improves the teams overall record to 14-14.
 
DePaul used a 9-0 scoring run to take a 19-16 first quarter lead over Butler. Jorie Allen scored the first four points of the game for the Blue Demons and would end the opening frame with a game-high 10 points. The 9-0 run made the game 11-5, but Caroline Strande was able to stop the scoring spree with a 3-pointer from the left wing. It was the second made 3-pointer of the game for BU as Karsyn Norman knocked down her first attempt from behind the arc.
 
The Bulldogs used a timeout just three minutes into the second quarter with DePaul scoring on three consecutive trips. Anaya Peoples and Katlyn Gilbert got layups and Kate Clarke hit a transition 3-pointer before the stoppage. The 'Dawgs trailed by just two at the halfway point of the second but would be outscored 10-5 over the final five giving the Demons a 38-31 halftime lead.
 
Clarke hit her second 3-pointer of the game just nine seconds into the second half, but the Bulldogs countered with a 7-0 scoring run to get back within three of the Blue Demons.
 
Jordan Meulemans got Butler within a point of DePaul at 47-46 with her first made 3-pointer of the game and Rachel Kent would hit from the same spot on the next possession to tie the game at 49-49. The Bulldogs used a 14-2 scoring run to open up a 54-49 lead, but the Blue Demons were able to tie the game at 54-54 heading to the fourth.
 
DePaul scored 10 points over the first three minutes of the fourth to regain their lead. Strande was the only Bulldog to score over the opening minutes for BU hitting a pair of 3-pointers.
 
The two evenly matched teams came together at 68-68, but Allen was able to break the tie with her 20th point of the night.
 
A huge moment in the game came late in the shot clock for the Bulldogs with 1:27 left on the game clock. Gilbert challenged a deep 3-point attempt from Strande and fouled her to pick up her fourth personal. Strande made two of three from the line to tie the game and the Bulldog defense got a stop on the next trip down.
 
Butler used a full timeout with 37 seconds left in the game and got an open look from the top of the key, but the ball rimmed out.
 
The Blue Demons got the ball to Peoples with the game on the line, but her shot with eight seconds to play was off and the rebound went to Ari Wiggins. Wiggins raced down the court and was fouled trying to score with just three seconds remaining. Wiggins made one of her two attempts and DePaul would call a timeout to advance the ball.
 
The Blue Demons didn't get a shot off as the ball was mishandled and went out of bounds to BU. Jordan Meulemans got the ball for Butler, stepped up to make two free throws and the game was over.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Each Bulldog win over DePaul has been played at Wintrust Arena
- Five Bulldogs scored in double figures Wednesday night
- BU shot 45 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range (10-20)
- The Bulldogs went 17-for-24 from the free throw line
- Rachel Kent and Caroline Strande each ended the game with 15 points
- Ari Wiggins had 10 points, four rebounds and two assists for BU
- Karsyn Norman went 4-for-5 from the field to score 10 points
- Riley Makalusky has 12 pints for BU in 29 minutes
- Jorie Allen led DePaul with 30 points
- Katlyn Gilbert was a force in the game with eight points and 17 rebounds
 
Up Next
Butler will host Marquette Saturday afternoon at 3 PM. The 2024 Senior Class will be recognized before tip.