The Butler women’s basketball team outscored Ohio 21-9 in the fourth quarter to collect their ninth win of the season. Kilyn McGuff was the player of the game for the Bulldogs, posting a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Butler dominated the boards (45-28) and forced 21 Ohio turnovers to find the win column.
First quarter action featured back and forth scoring by the two evenly matched teams. Butler broke a 4-4 tie by hitting back-to-back 3-pointers. Riley Makalusky hit the first triple of the game just moments before Kilyn McGuff, but the Bobcats came back with an 11-0 run to grab a 15-10 advantage. At the end of one, Ohio led Butler 17-16.
Ohio opened the second quarter on a 5-0 run which led to a Bulldog timeout (22-16). The ‘Dawgs responded and outscored the Bobcats 10-4 after the stoppage to tie the game at 26-26. The Bulldogs played some of their best basketball of the first half over the final minutes of the second quarter. They outscored Ohio 12-4 to take a 38-33 lead into the half.
Strande’s second 3-pointer of the game combined with a Makalusky layup moved Butler’s lead to 10 with six to play in the third. The largest lead of the game would not last long with Ohio cutting the deficit in half before the media timeout.
The Bobcats continued to shoot the ball well and would use a 12-0 scoring run to regain the lead at 47-45. Ari Wiggins would add a corner three to Butler’s point total, but Ohio would outscore BU 18-10 in the third to own a 51-48 lead heading to the fourth.
The Bulldogs used second chance points to outscore Ohio 8-3 over the opening four minutes of the fourth quarter. McGuff and Cristen Carter hit the offensive glass to put BU back in front by two with 6:01 left.
Three minutes later, Ohio’s leading scorer would foul out and free throws moved BU in front 66-60. Ohio didn’t score after Watkins left the court and the final horn would sound with Butler in front 69-60.
Inside the Box Score
– Kilyn McGuff led Butler with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and three steals
– Cristen Carter came up with eight points and 10 rebounds
– McGuff and Carter combined to grab 13 offensive rebounds
– Caroline Strande posted 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists
– Riley Makalusky was in double figures with 10 points, four boards, and two assists
– BU scored 23 points off Ohio turnovers
– 21 offensive rebounds helped Butler score 15 second chance points
Up Next
Butler will host Wisconsin on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Their final non-conference game will follow on Sunday at 1 p.m. vs. Saint Francis.
