Field Level Media
Feb 7, 2021
Chuck Harris and Bryce Nze each scored 22 points as Butler snapped a three-game skid with a 68-58 victory against visiting DePaul on Saturday in Indianapolis.
It was the first game this season with two 20-point scorers for Butler (6-10, 5-8 Big East). Harris (4 of 8) and Nze (3 of 4) combined for seven of the Bulldogs' eight 3-point baskets.
Javon Freeman-Liberty scored a season-high 26 points for DePaul (3-8, 1-8), which lost its third straight game. No other Blue Demons had more than eight points.
Freeman-Liberty's two free throws gave DePaul its largest first-half advantage at 18-6. But Butler closed the half on a 24-11 run to take a 30-29 lead at the break.
Harris -- a freshman who entered Saturday averaging 10.3 points per game -- led all scorers with 15 at intermission. Freeman-Liberty also eclipsed his season scoring average (12.8) with 14 at halftime.
Aaron Thompson's free throw with 11:59 left in the game capped a 12-1 run and gave the Bulldogs their largest lead at 49-39. Nze's 3-pointer with 7:32 left matched that lead at 55-45.
Butler hit a season-high 24 free throws in 36 attempts. DePaul was just 9 for 16 from the foul line.
The Bulldogs swept the season series with Saturday's win. Butler won the first meeting in Chicago, 67-53, on Jan. 19.
DePaul (69.1 points per game) and Butler (62.7) entered Saturday as the two lowest-scoring teams in the Big East.
This was DePaul's fourth road game this season. The Blue Demons, who have had eight COVID-19 cancellations or postponements, have played the fewest games in the Big East.
Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse was at 25 percent capacity, with a crowd of roughly 2,000 fans.
--Field Level Media