The Butler softball team split the first two games of its three-game series against Horizon League rival Wright State yesterday.

Photo by Josh Morris

In the first game of the series, the Bulldogs (17-26, 7-7) grabbed a 5-1 victory.

Butler got on the board early with a two-out RBI double from senior catcher Mallory Winters.

Then, with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth inning, senior Alyssa Coleman recorded a pinch hit, three-run double to pad Butler’s lead.

The Bulldogs added one more run in the sixth inning.

In the second game, Butler started out strong again.

Freshman third baseman Callie Dennison scored on a single by junior Meaghan Sullivan in the bottom of the first inning.

The Raiders (18-24, 6-8) tied it up in the second inning before the Bulldogs added an unearned run in the third inning.

Errors would plague Butler the rest of game.

The Raiders added two runs in fifth—both unearned—as a result of Butler fielding errors.

The Bulldogs tried to rally in the bottom of the sixth inning, but mistakes on the base paths prevented them from scoring.

“It came down to four errors and some critical base-running mistakes,” coach Scott Hall said. “We have to be able to execute.”

The bright spot for Butler were  solid pitching performances from sophomore Leah Bry in both games.

“Leah was awesome today,” Hall said. “We just have to do a better job of playing defense and backing her up.”

Last weekend, the Bulldogs won one game in a three-game series against conference opponent Green Bay.

Butler lost the first game 4-1, not getting a hit until the seventh inning.

Bry took the loss for the Bulldogs.

The second game was a different story, with the Bulldogs recording a season-high 17 hits and winning by a 9-8 margin.

Butler got out of the gate quickly, scoring four runs in the first inning.

Three of the runs came from a swing of the bat, as senior outfielder Lauren McNulty cracked a three-run home run.

The Phoenix (15-17, 4-5) answered back and took a 7-4 lead into the sixth inning.

In the top of that inning, freshman infielder Kristen Boros hit a solo home run to cut the lead to two.

Butler then tied the game with two runs in the seventh inning.

McNulty broke the 7-7 deadlock in the 10th inning with a solo shot to center field.

It was her sixth long ball of the season.

The Bulldogs added an insurance run with a double from freshman Maria Leichty and an RBI single from Winters, giving the Bulldogs the 9-8 win.

Senior pitcher Breanna Fisher picked up her fourth win of the season.

In the final game of the series, the Phoenix recorded 13 hits and scored 11 runs in just four innings.

Photo by Josh Morris

Butler had only four hits and three runs in the 11-3 loss.

The Bulldogs did pick up a non-conference win last Thursday against Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Butler had five hits and a shut-out performance from Bry on the way to 4-0 victory.

The Bulldogs will finish the three-game series against Wright State today.

Butler will then close out its six-game homestand with a three-game series against Detroit this weekend.

The Butler women’s tennis team defeated Green Bay 7-0 Sunday.

Sophomores Stephanie McLoughlin and Gabrielle Rubenstein won 8-1 in their No. 1 doubles match.

Seniors Cam Thompson and Ashley Breitenbach won 8-4 in No. 2 doubles to secure the point for the Bulldogs (7-13, 4-2).

Butler also won all of its singles matches against the Phoenix (4-12, 2-5).

The day before, the Bulldogs fell to Milwaukee 6-1.

McLoughlin and Rubenstein won 8-3 at No. 1 doubles, and the team of junior Brittany Farmer and sophomore Caroline Hedrick also picked up an 8-3 win at No. 2 doubles.

The Bulldogs could not overcome losses in all six singles contests to the Panthers (12-7, 5-1).

Butler now sits one game back of second place in the conference standings.

The Butler men’s tennis team was defeated by Green Bay 6-1 on Sunday.

The Bulldogs (3-18, 2-3) captured the doubles point against the Phoenix (16-6, 5-1) with victories in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots.

Freshman Tommy Marx and senior Zach Ervin won 8-2 at No. 2 doubles, and senior Stephen McLoughlin and freshman Sam O’Neill won 9-8 at No. 3 doubles.

The loss was the Bulldogs’ fifth straight and dropped the team to sixth place in the Horizon League.

Both Butler teams finish their regular season with matches at Cleveland State on Saturday and at Youngstown State on Sunday.

The Butler women’s basketball team was unable to advance past the first round of the Horizon League Tournament, falling to Illinois-Chicago 66-53.

Poor shooting from the field in the first half sunk the Bulldogs (13-17). Butler shot 20.7 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes while the Flames (18-13) shot 44.8 percent.

UIC had four players with more than 10 points. The Flames were led by senior forwards Kiara Strickland  (17 points and eight rebounds) and Jasmine Bailey (15 points and 13 rebounds).

The Bulldogs received 15 points apiece from senior guard Devin Brierly and sophomore guard Mandy McDivitt.

The loss ended Butler’s season and sent UIC to the semifinal round of the tournament. The Flames eventually fell to tournament champion Green Bay.

The Butler women’s basketball team suffered a 78-53 loss at #12 Green Bay (25-1, 15-1) on Saturday.

The Bulldogs (12-15, 8-8) were led by sophomore guard Mandy McDivitt, who recorded 12 points in the game. Sophomore guard Jenna Cobb added nine points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals for Butler.

“I gave it my best effort, but there is always room for improvement in a lot of areas,” Cobb said. “ We just tried working to spread the offense and on defense we wanted to force them to shoot more 3-pointers.”

The Bulldogs ended the game with 32.7 percent shooting and 34 rebounds to Green Bay’s 55.7 percent shooting and 38 rebounds.

“We just need to work on executing on offense and knowing where people are on the floor to help our shooting,” Cobb said.

The team also lost at Wisconsin-Milwaukee (9-18, 5-11) 54-52 in a close matchup.

Both Cobb and freshman guard Hannah Douglas scored 11 points in the loss.

“[Douglas] has helped our team so much this season, especially coming in as a freshman,” Cobb said. “The best part of her game is her pull up jumper. When she has it, no one can stop her.”

The team will return to Hinkle Fieldhouse tomorrow to take on Detroit at 7 p.m.

Butler senior forward Garrett Butcher made two free throws with 3:35 remaining in last night’s game against Illinois-Chicago.

On the Bulldogs’ next possession Butcher made a long jump shot.

On the ensuing Flames’ possession, senior guard Ronald Nored stole the ball and went the length of the floor for a score.

Coach Brad Stevens then called a timeout to remove the pair.

That was the way Butler’s two graduating players ended their regular-season home careers.

Tuesday’s game was Senior Night, and the two lone athletic seniors left their mark by helping the Bulldogs (18-12, 11-6) beat the Flames (8-19, 3-13) 69-44.

Butler could return home in the Horizon League tournament in a few different scenarios or through the National Invitational Tournament.

Nored came close to his first-ever double-double, scoring 12 points, dishing out eight assists and capturing seven rebounds.

Butcher recorded four points and two steals in his time on the court.

Though it was a night for  celebrating the seniors, freshman forward Roosevelt Jones led the way for the Bulldogs with his second consecutive double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

“[Jones’] toughness allows you to win at home and on the road,” Stevens said.

Two other Bulldogs also posted double figures in points.

Junior center Andrew Smith and sophomore guard Chrishawn Hopkins scored 10 apiece.

Sophomore forward Khyle Marshall provided nine of the Bulldogs’ 20 bench points.

The Flames were led by junior guard Gary Talton and senior center Darrin Williams, who scored 13 and 11 points, respectively.

When Nored and Butcher left the game with 2:39 to go, Hinkle Fieldhouse erupted and an emotional ceremony shortly followed the game.

Photo by Taylor Cox

Stevens thanked the crowd for their support all season and for future support, because “we’re not done yet.”

Each senior also spoke briefly.

“We couldn’t have a better coaching staff,” Butcher said.

“There’s nothing better than Butler,” Nored said in front of his mother, grandmother and high school basketball coach from Alabama.

In a post-game press conference, Butcher described the night as bittersweet.

“It is a special moment I’ll hold in my heart,” Butcher said.

Butler’s victory coupled with Cleveland State’s loss to Green Bay allowed the Bulldogs to gain sole possession of second place in the Horizon League.

In order to secure the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament, the Bulldogs will need to win Friday night against the tournament’s No. 1 seed, Valparaiso and hope for another Cleveland State loss.

On Saturday afternoon, the Bulldogs won a non-conference game against Indiana State as part of BracketBuster Saturday.

In front of a sellout crowd at Hinkle, Butler routed their in-state foe 75-54, showing a glimpse of their late-season heroics from the past two seasons.

Smith led the Bulldogs in scoring with 12 points while collecting five rebounds.

Jones, Hopkins and sophomore forward Erik Fromm each scored 11 points in the contest. Jones also had 12 rebounds, recording his third career double-double.

The Bulldogs got 25 points off the bench, with Khyle Marshall chipping in 10 as one of five  players in double figures.

Butler shot 8-for-20 from behind the 3-point line. All nine of junior guard Chase Stigall’s points came from beyond the arc.

Sophomore forward R.J. Mahurin led the Sycamores (16-12) with a career-high 22 points, going 4-for-6 from the 3-point line.

The Bulldogs will hit the road to take on Valparaiso in the regular-season finale at 7 p.m. Friday.

The Butler swim team is in Wisconsin this week for the Horizon League Championships.

Despite a few mid-season mishaps, the Bulldogs have been strong recently, winning their penultimate meet and coming in second place at their most recent contest, which was a triangular held at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

With such a young squad—there are no seniors and two juniors on the team of 16—the conference meet will be a new experience for some.

“I think we’re all going to do really well,” sophomore Kathleen Brannen said. “This is the best season we’ve had since we lost the men’s team, and having such a great season has built our confidence up.”

In last year’s version of the league championship meet, Butler placed eighth of eight teams.

The Bulldogs finished 32.5 points behind seventh-place Valparaiso, a team they have defeated twice this season.

“I really think that with the team we have this year, we’re capable of doing a lot better,” sophomore Lauren Lambrecht said. “Since we don’t have divers, that kind of throws us out of the mix.

Photo courtesy of Butler Sports Information

“But we’re definitely going to try and beat Valpo.”

Reigning champion Green Bay is playing host for the meet. Last season, the Phoenix finished 103.5 points ahead of second-place Milwaukee-Wisconsin.

Butler will try to set multiple school records in both individual and relay events, including the 200 relay, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay.

“Most of us shoot for personal bests and making our seven-month season worth it,” Lambrecht said. “We’re a small team, we’re young, and we’re trying to build up the program.

“Self-improvement shows possible recruits that they’ll improve when they get here.”

Starting tonight, meet coverage will be broadcast live online through horizonleague.com.

The Butler women’s basketball team ended the week on a high note after beating Milwaukee (6-13, 2-7) 76-63 at home on Saturday.

According to Butler coach Beth Couture, working hard for rebounds and assists was crucial for the Bulldogs (8-12, 4-5).

Butler ended the game with 40 rebounds to Milwaukee’s 19.

“I think we were aggressive,” Couture said. “I was really pleased with their fight. At halftime I told them we really have to pick up the defense, and I think that was the difference.”

Sophomore center Sarah Hamm had her best outing of the season, posting a career-high 30 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.

Photo by Taylor Cox

After the Panthers cut their deficit to one point with 7:04 remaining, Hamm scored two quick field goals to give Butler momentum and a 63-58 lead.

Hamm attributed her success on the floor to her teammates, including junior forward Becca Bornhorst, who had 10 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and sophomore guard Jenna Cobb, who also posted a career-high 16 points with six assists.

“I think we have to play hard to get out of those kinds of situations,” Hamm said. “I think what really helps me are the playmakers who make things happen and get me points.”

Couture said she also recognized Bornhorst’s positive impact on the game.

“[Bornhorst] having six [defensive rebounds] and four [offensive rebounds] is what we need her to do,” Couture said. “Her 10 points were great, but at the end of the day we really need her rebounds, so I thought she was really good.”

Bornhorst said she tried to find a good formula to help her make good plays for her team.

“I just let the game come to me, and I finally found a rhythm and just played relaxed,” Bornhorst said. “Our team played well all around, and we executed offensively and hit shots.”

The game served as a stark contrast to the team’s 60-36 home loss to No. 9 Green Bay on Thursday.

Despite losing the contest, the Bulldogs kept the Phoenix (19-0, 9-0) to their lowest score of the season. Their previous low was 65 points against Wisconsin.

“I thought in the first five minutes we played really good defense but could not score,” Couture said.

After being down 42-13 at halftime, the Bulldogs attempted to make a comeback in the second half, outscoring the Phoenix 23-18. It bore resemblance to Butler’s 60-57 comeback win over Loyola of Chicago on Jan. 21 but ultimately had a different result.

“We just got back to the gameplan [in the second half],” Couture said. “When you play the No. 9 team in the country, and they play like that, it is hard to make a comeback.”

The Bulldogs will start a two-game road swing tomorrow night at Cleveland State before heading to Youngstown State on Saturday.

Two weekends ago, the Butler men’s basketball team won two games on a road trip to Chicago. The squad hoped to do the same in Wisconsin last weekend.

That did not happen.

The Bulldogs (12-11, 6-5) lost at Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Green Bay over the weekend, dropping to just a game over .500 in the process.

Saturday night in Green Bay, Butler freshman forward Roosevelt Jones tied a career high with 16 points, but the Bulldogs’ defense could not contain the Phoenix (9-12, 5-6) in an 80-68 loss.

Butler had allowed 80 points just one other time this season, an 80-77 overtime loss to Evansville on Nov. 12.

Green Bay’s top performer was junior center Brennan Cougill, who finished with 21 points and eight rebounds.

The Bulldogs hung with the Phoenix for the first half and trailed 33-32 at the break.

The second half was a different story for Butler, as the Bulldogs started slow and could not topple Green Bay.

In addition to leading the team in points, Jones also recorded a team-high eight rebounds for the Bulldogs.

”[Jones] is really good,” Butler coach Brad Stevens said. “He’s a hard-nosed, competitive kid.”

Senior guard Ronald Nored was the only other starter in double figures for Butler, finishing with 13 points. He also had another perfect showing from the free throw line, draining all six of his attempts.

Nored said he tries to play hard, smart and focused basketball, which rubs off on his teammates.

”Ron has been a huge hand in the last four years, more than statistics show,” Stevens said.

The Bulldogs also received a combined 27 points off the bench from sophomore guard Chrishawn Hopkins, sophomore forward Erik Fromm, freshman guard Jackson Aldridge and freshman forward Kameron Woods.

In the end, those efforts were not enough to stop Green Bay, who received 19 points from sophomore center Alec Brown and 14 points from freshman guard Keifer Sykes in addition to the 21 points from Cougill.

The Bulldogs continued to struggle from beyond the arc, shooting 4 of 13, while the Phoenix made seven of their 14 3-point attempts.

On Thursday night, junior center Andrew Smith led the Bulldogs with 11 points in a 53-42 loss to Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

The Panthers (14-8, 7-3) were led by junior forward James Haarsma’s game-high 12 points and senior guard Ryan Allen’s nine.

Butler struggled to sink shots throughout the contest, shooting just 19.2 percent from the field in the second half and 27.6 percent for the game.

Beyond the arc, the Bulldogs made only one 3-point basket in 17 attempts.

Both scrappy and sloppy play were seen in the Horizon League matchup, as the teams totaled 27 turnovers and 34 fouls.

Butler received quality minutes from freshman Elliot Kampen, who finished with five points and the Bulldogs’ lone 3-point basket.

“It wasn’t enough to get the win, so I have to play harder,” Kampen said.

Butler will return to Hinkle Fieldhouse tomorrow night against the Wright State Raiders (11-12, 6-5) before squaring off with the Detroit Titans (12-11, 6-5) at Hinkle Saturday afternoon.

The Butler men’s basketball team pushed its winning streak to three games with a win over Horizon League opponent Loyola of Chicago Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs (12-9, 6-3) beat the Ramblers (5-15, 0-9) 63-57 to end a pivotal conference road trip that began with a 57-49 Butler victory over Illinois-Chicago earlier in the week.

Against Loyola, Butler looked to senior point guard and defensive leader Ronald Nored for a strong performance.

“Down the stretch, Loyola played really well, and I played with poise and toughness,” Nored said.

Nored did not disappoint, finishing one assist shy of a double-double with 16 points and nine assists.

The nine assists marked a career-best for Nored.

“I felt like Ron was the best player on the floor,” coach Brad Stevens said.

Butler’s big men were also key in the victory, as sophomore forward Khyle Marshall and junior center Andrew Smith scored 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Marshall shot 6-of-7 from the floor in the second half to erase a scoreless opening half.

“Instead of getting frustrated about it, I focused on the second half,” Marshall said.

Photo by Taylor Cox

Smith also collected 13 rebounds, giving him his third double-double of the season.

The Bulldogs went into halftime with a 25-23 lead, but they would fall into a 28-28 tie two and a half minutes into the second half.

At that point, Butler went on a 7-1 run to take the lead.

Sophomore guard Chrishawn Hopkins and freshman forward Kameron Woods hit field goals and junior guard Chase Stigall added a 3-point basket to fuel the run.

Following the surge, the Bulldogs would hold off the Ramblers the rest of the way and pick up the victory.

Loyola was led by senior forward Walt Gibler and freshman guard Joe Crisman with 14 points each.

In addition to having three players finish with double-digit points, Butler received 12 points off the bench from the duo of Hopkins and Woods.

The Bulldogs also shot 68.2 percent from the free-throw line, with Nored making all eight of his attempts.

The showing improved Butler’s team percentage from the free throw line to 62.0 percent.

The Bulldogs also had a strong performance defensively, recording nine blocks and five steals.

In the first game of the Chicago trip, Butler defeated UIC 57-49 behind a strong performance from freshman forward Roosevelt Jones.

Jones finished with 16 points and five rebounds before fouling out of the game.

Nored was the only other Bulldog in double figures, with 10 points and seven assists.

Despite shooting just 4-of-17 from beyond the arc, Butler got two triples from Woods, who came off the bench and finished with eight points.

The Flames (6-12, 2-6) pulled to within four points with 41 seconds remaining, but the Bulldogs hung on to grab a conference victory.

“You just have to play,” Stevens said. “[The Flames] did just that and fought through to the end of the game.”

Freshman guard Marc Brown and junior guard Gary Talton scored 11 points each to lead UIC.

Butler will move on from the Chicago trip and head to Wisconsin this week.

The Bulldogs will take on Wisconsin-Milwaukee (13-8, 6-3) Thursday before facing Green Bay (7-12, 3-6) Saturday.