Field Level Media
Nov 6, 2019
Sean McDermott scored a game-high 26 points on 10-for-11 shooting to lead four players in double figures and boost host Butler to a season-opening 80-47 rout of IUPUI on Wednesday night in Indianapolis.
Butler led by as many as 33 points in the second half, thriving behind the torrid shooting of McDermott as well as a disciplined defense that held IUPUI scoreless during an 18-0 run over the first 6:10 after halftime.
McDermott drilled his first nine field goal attempts -- including three from beyond the 3-point arc - and went 2-for-4 from the free throw line to finish one point shy of his career high. Bryce Golden (17 points), Khalif Battle (11) and Bryce Nze (11) followed to lift the balanced Bulldogs, who rolled despite missing five players.
Jordan Tucker missed the game while serving a one-game NCAA suspension, Christian David and Henry Baddley were out with sickness and Derrik Smits (knee) and Markeese Hastings (hips) were sidelined due to injury.
Marcus Burk paced the Jaguars with 17 points but was ineffective from 3-point range, shooting just 2-for-11 from deep. Burk, an Indianapolis native, snagged five rebounds to tie for the team lead. Jaylen Minnett added seven points for IUPUI.
Butler shot 35-for-59 (59.3 percent) from the field compared to 21-for-57 (36.8 percent) for IUPUI. The Jaguars connected on just three of 21 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Jaguars never led against their intracity rival, but rallied to close within 36-26 at the break. The Bulldogs pulled away in the second half, as Aaron Thompson dished nine assists to keep the attack moving. IUPUI went scoreless for the final 3:01 of the game.
Butler has won each of its six meetings against IUPUI and boasts victories in each of its past 16 nonconference home games.
--Field Level Media
--Field Level Media