Butler dominated the glass in taking a 79-72 win over South Carolina in the opening game of the Greenbrier Tip-Off in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.
 
Led by 15 points and 14 rebounds by Michael Ajayi, the Bulldogs took a 48-29 rebounding advantage. It was Ajayi's fifth consecutive double-double to start the season.
 
With the result, both Butler and South Carolina are now 4-1 on the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Butler never trailed in the contest.
• The Bulldogs used a 10-0 run to take a 27-15 lead with 7:17 remaining in the first half.
• South Carolina was able to trim the lead to only two (31-29) with 1:43 to play in the first half before Butler scored seven of the final nine points of the half for a 38-31 halftime lead.
• Butler took its largest lead of the game at 50-35 with 14:09 to play. Once again, a South Carolina run, this one at 8-0, cut the lead to only four at 56-52 with 10 minutes to play.
• Butler got the lead back to double figures and South Carolina never got closer than five down the stretch. 

 
TIP-INS:

• Finley Bizjack led four Bulldogs in double figures with 18 points. He made three of five attempts from behind the arc.
• Jamie Kaiser Jr. scored 14 points, making all five of his attempts from the floor, to go along with seven rebounds and three steals.
• Jalen Jackson was the fourth Bulldog in double figures with 10 points.
• The Bulldogs committed a season-low 10 turnovers.
• Butler was 5-for-12 from three-point range. Prior to today, the Bulldogs' season-low for three-point attempts was 18.
• Butler shot 48 percent from the field but only 20-for-34 (59 percent) from the free throw line.
• Meechie Johnson had a game-high 24 points to lead South Carolina.
• Butler's defense limited South Carolina to 40-percent shooting.
• Friday's game was the first meeting between Butler and South Carolina.

 
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs continue play at the Greenbrier Tip-Off with a Sunday afternoon tip against Virginia. The 2 p.m. contest will air on CBS Sports Network. Fans can also listen to the action with Mark Minner and Nick Gardner via numerous platforms.