Butler traveled to the Prudential Center and delivered a convincing 77-66 win over Seton Hall, thanks in large part to Finley Bizjack's impressive 25-point outing. The Bulldogs' victory was fueled by a strong first-half performance, where they outscored the Pirates 34-24. This early lead proved insurmountable for Seton Hall, despite a valiant effort from AJ Staton-McCray, who led the Pirates with 17 points.
Butler's Bizjack was the star of the show, hitting key shots throughout the contest to keep the Pirates at bay. He was complemented by Azavier Robinson's 14 points and Michael Ajayi's 13 points and 8 rebounds, showcasing the Bulldogs' depth and balance on offense. On the other side, Seton Hall's Staton-McCray received support from Najai Hines, who recorded a double-double with 11 points and 16 rebounds, and Mike Williams, who chipped in with 11 points.
As the game unfolded, Butler's lead never dipped below 5 points in the second half, with the Bulldogs answering every Seton Hall surge with a decisive run of their own. The Pirates trimmed the deficit to 6 points with just over 10 minutes remaining, but Butler responded with a 10-2 spurt to seal the win. This strong road performance will undoubtedly boost Butler's tournament resume, particularly given the quality of the opponent.
The win marked a Quadrant 1 victory for Butler, a significant addition to their postseason portfolio. For Seton Hall, the loss constitutes a Quadrant 2 defeat, which, while not ideal, will not severely damage their tournament chances. The Pirates, now 14-5, want to regroup and refocus ahead of their next outing.
Butler's 77-66 victory serves as a reflection of the team's growth and cohesion, particularly on the road. With this win, the Bulldogs improve to 12-7 and strengthen their position in the NCAA tournament picture. As the season progresses, Butler will aim to build upon this momentum, leveraging their impressive performance at the Prudential Center as a catalyst for future success.
The implications of this result are clear: Butler has significantly bolstered its tournament resume with a high-quality road win, while Seton Hall must rebound from this setback to maintain its own postseason aspirations. As the college basketball landscape continues to take shape, the Bulldogs' 77-66 triumph over the Pirates will be remembered as a pivotal moment in their season, one that showcases their ability to perform under pressure and secure crucial victories away from home.