Sean McDermott scored 14 problems to influence No. 19 Butler to a 66-61 victory over Xavier
INDIANAPOLIS —
Butler teacher LaVall Jordan was once having a look at how his workforce would possibly simply reinforce.
“We had very good workforce conversation after the Marquette loss (Sunday) in regards to the position we will be able to get better and a big part of that was once the bench,” Jordan discussed. “Henry Baddley and our seniors in fact stepped up.”
Butler’s bench outscored Xavier’s 23-6 since the 19th-ranked Bulldogs beat the Musketeers 66-61 on Wednesday night. Jordan Tucker scored 10 problems and Baddley added Nine to influence the reserves. Some of the starters, Sean McDermott scored a team-high 14 problems and Kamar Stanley 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley scored 10.
Stanley 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, the Bulldogs’ major scorer, had two key baskets throughout the final 2:34.
“I knowledgeable our guys forward of the game that Butler is a workforce that doesn’t beat themselves,” Xavier teacher Travis Steele discussed. “They don’t turn the ball over so much. They’re solid defensively. We had seven turnovers throughout the first section and Butler got 10 problems off that.”
Naji Marshall scored 20 problems to influence the Musketeers (16-9, 5-7). Tyrique Jones had 19 problems and 10 rebounds for Xavier, his 17th double-double.
Butler shot 47% and Xavier went 44% from the field.
McDermott had six of Butler’s 29 rebounds. Xavier moreover had 29 boards.
“He’s in a position to battle with some of the greater guys,” Jordan discussed.
Xavier’s teacher was once moreover impressed.
“He’s got a really perfect motor and he blocks out every single time,” Steele discussed.
Bulldogs guard Aaron Thompson took an elbow to the highest and went to the bottom with Butler major 42-25. He left the game and did not return. Jordan discussed Thomspon is being evaluated and it wasn’t clear whether or not or no longer he will have to go through concussion protocol.
Xavier followed the hurt with an 11-0 spurt, delighting a vocal contingent of Musketeers lovers. Butler’s Derrik Smits finally ended the drought with a basket.
Tucker’s back-to-back 3s helped Bulldogs rebuild their lead to 14 problems at 57-43. Xavier closed the gap to 59-53 with 3:11 left. That’s as close as Xavier got until Marshall’s 3-pointer merely forward of the buzzer.
“Control and perseverance are massive words in our locker room,” Jordan discussed. “When I was seeing about Aaron’s hurt, the ones guys are major the huddle and seeing what happens next.”
Baddley, who was once averaging 2.2 problems entering the game, hit all Three of his 3-point makes an strive throughout the first section.
Stanley 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley wasn’t shocked, announcing Baddley “shoots like that all over practice.”
Butler led 32-23 at halftime.
“We didn’t shoot the ball well throughout the first section, then again they got some of the best possible defenses in all of the country,” Steele discussed.
Primary 27-16, the Bulldogs went more than Five minutes without scoring since the Musketeers closed the deficit to 27-23. Butler then scored the overall Five problems with the section.
BIG PICTURE
Xavier: Two video video games beneath .500 in Large East play, the Musketeers will need to finish strong to avoid missing the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year.
Butler: The Bulldogs’ victory may well be expensive within the match that they lose Thompson for any length of time. Butler did not play well when he overlooked Three video video games earlier this season.
INJURY REPORT
Smits, the son of former Indiana Pacers center Rik Smits, had to be helped off the bottom with a knee hurt with 5:16 left. Smits overlooked the principle 10 video video games this season with a knee hurt. Jordan discussed Smits, who comes off the bench, is being evaluated.
UP NEXT
Xavier plays at St. John’s Monday night. Xavier gained the teams’ first meeting, 75-67.
Butler faces visiting Georgetown Saturday. The Bulldogs gained at Georgetown 69-64 on Jan. 28.
———
Additional AP faculty basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP—Absolute best25
