Indy Standard

Butler Claws Out Comeback Win Over DePaul, 59-58

Butler overcame a 12-point second-half deficit and came up with a key defensive stop as the final clock expired, taking a 59-58 win Wednesday night at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

With the win, Butler improves to 14-15 overall and 6-12 in BIG EAST play. DePaul falls to 9-19 (3-14 BIG EAST).

TOP DAWG PERFORMANCE: Ali Ali posted a season-high 15 points to go along with five assists and five rebounds for the Bulldogs. He made six of his nine attempts from the field. He matched Simas Lukosius for the team-lead in points.

STAT OF SIGNIFICANCE: After DePaul scored the first six points of the second half to take their largest lead of the game at 36-24 with 18:45 remaining, the Bulldogs put together a 25-9 spurt over the next nine minutes to take a four-point advantage.

HOW IT TRANSPIRED:

•    Butler made eight of its first 12 attempts from the field in building a 19-10 lead with 11:07 remaining in the first half.

•    Butler then went cold, scoring just five points the rest of the half as DePaul used a 17-3 run to eventually take a 30-24 halftime lead.

•    Butler's 25-9 run gave the Bulldogs a 49-45 lead with 9:44 to play.

•    DePaul would not go quietly, retaking the lead at 56-55 with 3:31 remaining. But the next four points belonged to the Bulldogs as Butler clamped down on defense over the next three minutes.

•    Umoja Gibson hit two free throws to pull DePaul within one at 59-58 with 38 seconds remaining before an empty Butler possession gave the Blue Demons a chance at the win.

•    Jayden Taylor was able to deny Javon Johnson's drive and a scrum for a loose ball ensued as time expired.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

•    Butler was able to overcome a 3-for-17 performance from three-point range.

•    Lukosius scored 15 points and tied for the team-high with seven rebounds for the Bulldogs.

•    Taylor had 13 points and five rebounds.

•    Butler committed only nine turnovers.

•    Butler shot 40 percent from the field.

•    Gibson led DePaul with 25 points, including five three-pointers.

•    DePaul went 9-for-27 from three-point range.

•    Butler made 10 of 14 free throw attempts, while DePaul was only 5-for-11.

OF NOTE:

•    Butler won the first meeting between the schools this season, 78-70, Jan. 4 at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

•    Butler is now 18-2 against DePaul since the Bulldogs joined the BIG EAST prior to the 2013-14 season. The Bulldogs have won seven straight in the series.

•    This is Butler's second win of the season when trailing at halftime; Butler is now 2-14 under that scenario.

UP NEXT: The Bulldogs have a weekend bye before returning to action Tuesday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse in the team's final home game of the season. Marquette, currently ranked in the Top 10 nationally and topping the BIG EAST standings, visits for a 6:30 p.m. tip. Tickets are still available for the contest.

Original source can be found here.