First Thoughts: Butler 68, Fordham 63
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Correspondent
Let’s take a quick look at how the Butler Bulldogs escaped with a 68-63 win over the Fordham Rams on Saturday afternoon at Rose Hill Gym.
WHY IT HAPPENED: Roosevelt Jones exploded in the second half, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists as Butler avoided its first two-game losing streak since Jan. 26 and 28 of 2012. Rotnei Clarke had another solid performance, scoring 22 points and grabbing six rebounds while Kameron Woods added seven points and 10 rebounds.
WHAT WE LEARNED: Butler needed this one to remain competitive for the Atlantic 10’s top seed, and the players knew it. Having dropped a home game for the first time all season, and having to play with yet another player (Khyle Marshall) hobbled in a minor way, the Bulldogs just wanted to do anything they could to get back on track. Jones made sure that happened. After being nearly invisible on offense in the first half, Jones stepped up his game and carried the team on his (padded) shoulders. He scored 10 points in the second half, hitting three big shots in a little more than two minutes after Fordham had taken a 35-30 lead. The concerning reality for Brad Stevens in this one is that Butler’s offense didn’t give the team much punch against one of the country’s worst defenses, but Stevens won’t stress over that tonight. More likely Stevens is just content his team rebounded from the loss to Charlotte, tossed another win on its growing pile, and played defense the way he wants them to on the game’s decisive possession.
The Bulldogs’ numbers were hideous: 39.2 percent (20-of-51) from the floor, 28.6 percent from 3-point range (6-of-21) and 64.7 percent from the free-throw line (22-of-34). Fordham was plagued by poor execution and generously declined to accept a game Butler tried to give away. Things are going to have to get a lot better before the Bulldogs face Saint Louis, VCU and Massachusetts.
KEY NUMBER: After scoring seven points in the first half, Fordham star Chris Gaston scored 14 in the second half to keep things interesting.
TURNING POINT: With his team up two points and looking to lock down the game, Butler guard Kellen Dunham only made 1 of 2 free throws. Luka Zivkovic then missed a challenged 3-pointer that would have tied the game with 8 seconds left. Clarke rebounded and knocked down both foul shots to close the scoring.
NEXT: The Bulldogs take on Duquesne Tuesday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
