Boxscore

Freshman Colt Ryan’s three-point baskets late in the game had University of Evansville fans thinking upset against No. 10 Butler (3-0), but the comeback effort fell just short as the Bulldogs escaped Roberts Stadium with a 64-60 victory over the Purple Aces (2-1) Saturday night.
 

The Aces kept the Bulldogs in check during the first half before Butler went on a 7-0 run to go up 19-14. Down seven at halftime, 27-20, UE could get no closer than five points during most of the second half.  In fact, Butler eventually went up by 13 and still had an eight-point lead with less than 30 seconds to go when Ryan ignited the crowd of 6,913 with a three-pointer with 21 seconds to go, a steal on the in-bounds pass, and another three from the corner with 17 seconds remaining to cut the Bulldogs' lead to 62-60.
 
Evansville fouled Shelvin Mack immediately, but he hit only one of two free throws to give Evansville the opportunity to send the game into overtime.  Ryan's three from the top of the key with five seconds remaining hit the front of the rim, however, and Butler's Gordon Hayward  grabbed the rebound, was fouled, and hit one free throw to finally seal the victory for the nationally ranked Bulldogs.

Ryan finished with 17 points, six in the four-second flurry in the final moments of the game. Sophomore James Haarsma followed Ryan in scoring with 11. Freshman Troy Taylor put in nine points, six rebounds and four assists while junior Pieter van Tongeren pulled down eight boards.  Mack led the Bulldogs with 17 points, Hayward added 15, Willie Veasley scored 11 and Matt Howard added 10 points and 13 rebounds.  Both teams struggled shooting the ball.  Butler hit only 14 of 50 shots, but outscored the Aces 31-15 at the free throw line.  Evansville was 21 for 55 from the field, and missed its first 11 three-point attempts before Ryan hit three of his last four from beyond the arc.