The Red Storm defense forced Butler into 21 turnovers as St. John's took an 84-70 win over Butler Tuesday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
 
St. John's turned those 21 miscues into 27 points.
 
With the win, the Red Storm improves to 10-5 (3-1 BIG EAST). The Bulldogs fall to 10-6 (1-4).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The first half featured four lead changes and 10 ties, including being knotted at 42-42 after the first 20 minutes of play.
• Butler's largest lead of the game came at 35-28 with 4:31 remaining in the first half.
• After Butler scored the first bucket of the second half, the Red Storm went on a 7-0 run to take a 49-44 advantage.
• Another run – this one, 15-3 – would extend the Red Storm lead to 74-57 with 5:37 to play, essentially putting the game out of reach.

 
TIP-INS:

• Zuby Ejiofor led five Red Storm players in double figures with 18 points.
• The Bulldogs were led by Finley Bizjack and his game-high 21 points.
• Michael Ajayi narrowly missed another double-double, finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds. He entered the contest as the nation's leader in both double-doubles (with 12) and in rebounding (12.3 caroms per game).
• Both teams shot 50 percent from the field but St. John's attempted 18 more shots than Butler.
• While St. John's forced 21 Butler turnovers, the Red Storm committed only five of their own.
• Butler out-rebounded St. John's, 34-28, their 14^th game this season (in 16 tries) holding a rebounding advantage.
• Butler's opening stretch of BIG EAST play includes four losses; those four teams are now a combined 14-2 in conference play on the young season.

 
UP NEXT: Butler has the weekend off before returning to action Wednesday, Jan. 14 at Xavier. The Bulldogs' next home game is Jan. 20 against DePaul.