DePaul University
Butler
Blue Demons Drop Road Game at Butler
2/3/2018 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Butler used double-digit runs in each half to pull away from DePaul in an 80-57 decision on Saturday. Marin Maric led the Blue Demons with 15 points and six rebounds.
Behind early buckets from Tre'Darius McCallum and Maric, the Blue Demons took an early 11-5 lead before Butler reeled off 12 straight points to lead 17-11 with 12 minutes left in the first half.
The Bulldogs led by as many as 13 points in the first half, but DePaul chipped away and two free throws by Maric cut the deficit to seven points on DePaul's final possession of the opening frame. Butler answered just before the buzzer with a Kelan Martin three from the corner to give the Bulldogs a 40-30 advantage at intermission.
Butler scored 10 of the first 13 points of the second half to take control of the game. A three-pointer by Kamar Baldwin gave the Bulldogs a 50-33 lead with 16 minutes left in the game.
DePaul made a run to move within 11 with 12 minutes left, but that would be as close as the Blue Demons would get over the remainder of the afternoon.
Maric led DePaul (9-13, 2-8 BIG EAST) with 15 points and six rebounds while McCallum finished with nine points and seven rebounds.
Butler (17-7, 7-4 BIG EAST) was led by Martin's 26 points and Paul Jorgensen added 13 points.
The Blue Demons return to Wintrust Arena on Wednesday night to host Creighton. Start time is 8 p.m. on FS1 and 670 The Score.
Postgame Notes
- DePaul had just one player score at least 10 points for only the second time this season.
- The Blue Demons committed a season-high 23 turnovers (second time)... DePaul also had 23 miscues at Xavier on Dec. 30.
- Saturday was the 16th all-time meeting... Butler holds a 10-6 advantage in the series... the Bulldogs won the first meeting this season, 79-67, at Wintrust Arena on Jan. 20.
