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12/20 17:15 CST Ajayi's double-double helps Butler edge Northwestern 61-58
Ajayi's double-double helps Butler edge Northwestern 61-58
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) --- Michael Ajayi posted a 19-point, 20-rebound double-double
as Butler held off Northwestern 61-58 on Saturday night in the Indy Classic.
Butler (9-3) overcame a tough shooting performance by controlling second
chances, finishing with a 41-35 rebounding edge. The Bulldogs set the tone
early, outrebounding Northwestern 23-14 in the first half and scoring 10
second-chance points to the Wildcats' zero.
Northwestern (7-5) trailed 29-23 at the break and never led after halftime,
though the Wildcats repeatedly cut into the margin.
The Wildcats made their final push in the closing minute. Tre Singleton's
jumper with 31 seconds left pulled Northwestern within one, but Ajayi answered
on the next possession with a layup off a pass from Drayton Jones to restore a
three-point cushion.
After Northwestern came up empty on its next trip, Butler closed it out at the
line. Evan Haywood made two free throws with 19 seconds remaining, and the
Wildcats missed two 3-point attempts in the final 12 seconds.
Jayden Reid led Northwestern with 14 points and six assists. Angelo Ciaravino
added 12 points, scoring six in the final 10 minutes. The Wildcats struggled
from long range, shooting 4 of 23 from 3-point distance.
Butler shot 38% from the field and 7 of 30 from beyond the arc but leaned on
rebounding and defense to secure the win.
Up Next Butler hosts NJIT on Monday Northwestern has 10 days off before facing Howard on Dec. 30. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball |
