Xavier captured an 89-75 win over visiting Butler Wednesday night at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
 
Tre Carroll led the Musketeers with 29 points, while Michael Ajayi once again paced the Bulldogs with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
 
With the result, Xavier improves to 11-7 (3-4 BIG EAST) and the Bulldogs fall to 10-7 (1-5).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Xavier's lead grew to as many as 13 midway through the first half before an 8-0 spurt by the Bulldogs cut the advantage to 33-30 with 5:22 remaining in the opening half.
• Xavier responded to lead, 44-36, at the half.
• A strong start to the second half for Xavier got the lead to double figures for much of the final 20 minutes.

 
TIP-INS:

• Xavier shot 47 percent from the field and had 30 assists on 35 made field goals.
• Carroll added nine rebounds and was one of five Musketeers in double figures.
• Ajayi's double-double was his 13^th of the season; he entered the game second nationally in both rebounding and double-doubles.
• Yame Butler got the start in place of an ill Azavier Robinson and scored 14 points, his high in a Butler uniform.
• Yohan Traore scored 14 points for Butler – all in the second half.
• Butler had 19 assists on 26 made field goals.

 
UP NEXT: Butler continues a week on the road with a Saturday noon tip at No. 25 Seton Hall. The Bulldogs return to Hinkle Tuesday (Jan. 20), hosting DePaul.