The women’s basketball team had its best start to the year since the 2024-25 season, going 3-0 with a 74-42 road win at Central Michigan.
Led by senior guard Nevaeh Jackson — who had eight points in her first five minutes of play — the Dawgs got out to a quick 13-7 start against the Chippewas. Despite being held to shooting 33.3% from the field and 37.5% from three, the Bulldogs were able to force eight turnovers and scored eight of their 17 first quarter points off those mistakes.
Although it took three minutes for either side to score in the second quarter, first-year guard Laniah Wills notched a layup to swing the momentum to Butler’s side, and senior guard Judit Valero scored two of her own to give the Bulldogs a double-digit lead halfway through the quarter.
The Dawgs were able to get good looks at the basket, but went 5-of-16 from the field and 1-of-10 from beyond the arc. However, the defense stood firm, holding Central Michigan to just four points in the second quarter — with two coming from the free throw line — and forcing 11 more turnovers for a 28-15 halftime lead.
Butler continued dominating the Chippewas, extending its lead to as much as 27 points in the third quarter. Shots finally started falling the Bulldogs’ way, as they went 10-of-18 from the field and 3-of-9 from three in the quarter. Graduate guard Jacy Weisbrod and sophomore guard Karina Bystry combined for all of the Dawgs’ baskets from beyond the arc.
Weisbrod finished the day with 14 points and went 4-of-9 from three — last year, the guard led all Division II players in three-pointers made, and is showcasing her prowess early in the season.
The Chippewas started clawing back in the final quarter of the game as junior forward Riley Smith became the team’s leading scorer, but the Bulldogs made five three-pointers to hold them back.
Despite the loss, Central Michigan took some positives away from the game. Its defense succeeded in holding Butler to under 100 points and also forced 24 turnovers — the Bulldogs only had 28 turnovers in their first two games.
Jackson led all players with a season-high 21 points, and also contributed six steals and six assists. Junior guard Tamar Singer continued to be a key player on both sides of the ball, dishing out five assists and notching six steals.
Smith led the Chippewas with 14 points and seven rebounds — the forward had double the points of her team’s next-highest scorer.
The Bulldogs now return home and hope to extend their win streak to four as they host North Dakota State on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.