The Sports Xchange
Nov 10, 2017
Senior Kelan Martin had a team-leading 20 points and nine rebounds in Butler's 82-64 romp over Kennesaw State on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
Martin made 6 of 15 shots, including 3 of 9 from 3-point range.
Junior Paul Jorgensen, a transfer from George Washington, added 14 points in his first official game for Butler. Jorgensen hit 5 of 8 shots and had four assists. Senior Tyler Wideman was right behind with 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting.
Sophomore James Scott scored 26 points on 10-of-19 shooting to lead Kennesaw State. Scott had four 3-pointers. Freshman Tristan Jarrett added 15 for the Owls.
Butler hit 18 of 32 shots (56.3 percent) to lead 48-24 at halftime. The Owls cut the lead to 57-47 with 12:08 left by hitting nine of its first 14 shots in the second half. Butler regained control with a 10-1 spurt.
The Bulldogs scored the game's first nine points and never trailed. Butler sank eight of its first 11 shots to lead 22-6. Butler's largest first-half lead was 25 points at 37-12 on a 3-pointer by Martin.
For the game, the Bulldogs made 32 of 64 shots. The lone negative was a 6-for-25 performance from the 3-point line. The Owls hit 22 of 54 shots for 40.7 percent.
It was the regular-season coaching debut at Butler for former player LaVall Jordan, who spent one season as Milwaukee coach.