Butler University Athletics

Butler nailed 17 three-pointers in taking a 98-66 win over visiting Chicago State Tuesday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
 
Finley Bizjack led the Bulldogs with 22 points and six assists. All five of his three-pointers came in the first half as Butler jumped out to a commanding lead and never looked back.
 
With the win, Butler improves to 3-0 on the young season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Butler opened the game by hitting five of their first six attempts from the field – all from three-point range – in building a 16-3 lead at the 16:48 mark of the first half. Bizjack was 4-for-4 at that point in the contest.
• Butler made 10 of their first 14 three-point attempts as the lead grew to 36-14 with 7:53 remaining in the first half.
• Behind 13-for-20 three-point shooting in the first half, Butler held a 57-30 halftime advantage.
• In the second half, Butler's lead grew to as many as 37 and was never fewer than 24.

 
TIP-INS:

• Butler's 98 points were two shy of their season average through the first week of the season.
• Butler was trending toward the program record of 20 made three-pointers (at Cleveland State, Feb. 8, 2007). The 17 made trifectas were the most since Butler hit 17 against Northern Illinois in a 95-68 win Dec. 8, 2018.
• Butler shot 53 percent from the field and 47 percent (17-for-36) from behind the arc.
• The Bulldogs got to the free throw line 30 times, making 21. Butler entered the game averaging 36.0 free throw attempts per game, which was tenth in the country.
• Butler held a 36-24 rebounding advantage, the team's third consecutive game with a double-digit rebounding edge.
• Butler has opened the season with three consecutive 30-point wins for the first time since opening the 2023-24 season with three 30-point wins.
• Michael Ajayi posted his third double-double in three games with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
• Butler had 24 assists on 30 made field goals.
• Bizjack and Ajayi were joined in double figures by Jamie Kaiser Jr. (16), Azavier "Stink" Robinson (11), and Evan Haywood (12). Haywood's 12 points came on a career-high four three-pointers.
• Jalen Jackson played nine minutes before leaving the game due to an ankle injury.
• Ethan McComb was credited with the first assist and blocked shot of his Butler career, playing the final 1:23 of the game.
• Butler is 85-5 in their last 90 home games against non-conference teams.
• Thad Matta is 27-4 at Hinkle Fieldhouse against non-conference opponents as Butler's head coach (which includes the 2000-01 season and since his return in 2022).
   

 
UP NEXT: After opening the season with five games (including two exhibitions) at Hinkle Fieldhouse, the Bulldogs take to the road for the next three games. The Bulldogs travel to Dallas for a true road game at SMU Saturday, which concludes the home-and-home series that began in Indianapolis last season. The 2 p.m. (Eastern) tip will air on The CW. Fans can also listen to Mark Minner and Nick Gardner as they call the action through several audio platforms.
 
The Bulldogs will play South Carolina and Virginia in the Greenbrier Tip-Off Nov. 21 and 23, respectively before returning to Hinkle for a Nov. 28 tip against Wright State.