Finley Bizjack stole the show at Hinkle Fieldhouse, scoring 24 points to propel Butler to an 87-80 victory over DePaul. The Bulldogs' win was fueled by a strong second-half performance, where they outscored the Blue Demons 54-43. Bizjack's impressive outing was complemented by Michael Ajayi's 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, as well as Evan Haywood's 15 points.
DePaul's Layden Blocker did his best to keep his team in the game, scoring 20 points, while CJ Gunn and Brandon Maclin added 16 and 12 points, respectively. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the Bulldogs' balanced attack. The Blue Demons held a slim 37-33 lead at halftime, but Butler's second-half surge was the difference.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Butler winning by 6.3 points, and the Bulldogs delivered, winning by a margin of 7. The predicted score of 70-70 was far from the actual outcome, as both teams combined for 167 points. The accuracy of the prediction is a reflection of the scout's ability to gauge the teams' strengths and weaknesses.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The game was marked by a series of runs, with DePaul jumping out to an early lead before Butler countered with a 10-2 spurt to take the lead. The Blue Demons regained the advantage before halftime, but the Bulldogs' second-half onslaught was too much to handle. Bizjack's performance was the catalyst for the win, as he consistently found ways to score and create for his teammates.
The victory improves Butler's record to 12-7, while DePaul falls to 11-8. In terms of tournament implications, this win is a significant boost to the Bulldogs' resume. As a Quadrant 3 win, it demonstrates their ability to beat quality opponents, which matters in the eyes of the selection committee. For DePaul, the loss is a Quadrant 1 defeat, which, although tough, will not significantly harm their chances.
The outcome of this game reinforces Butler's position as a formidable team, capable of competing with anyone on their schedule. With Finley Bizjack leading the charge, the Bulldogs are poised to make a push for a tournament berth. As the season progresses, games like this matters in shaping the narrative of their campaign. The win over DePaul is a notable addition to Butler's resume, one that will undoubtedly be referenced when the selection committee evaluates their tournament worthiness.