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Kilyn McGuff recorded her 10th double-double of the season on Wednesday night against Villanova, but the Wildcats would leave Hinkle Fieldhouse with a 63-59 victory. McGuff had 19 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs. Riley Makalusky was also excellent in the setback with 15 points off the BU bench.
McGuff and Makalusky combined to score 34 of Butler’s 59 points in Butler’s first home game during the month of February. The team shot nearly 50 percent from the field in the first half but would end the game at 37 percent. Nova outscored BU by six in the second half to pull out the win in a game that featured 11 ties and 10 lead changes.
The first quarter was a wild one on Wednesday night with each team going on a large scoring run. Villanova opened the game by scoring eight-straight and would take a 17-4 lead before Butler countered with a 13-0 run that tied the game at 17-17.
Riley Makalusky was a spark off the BU bench and Kilyn McGuff stayed aggressive from the field to lead the offense early. Makalusky went 2-for-3 in the quarter to score five points while McGuff posted six points and four rebounds.
The duo of Makalusky and McGuff kept the Bulldog offense rolling in the second quarter. McGuff led all players with 14 points at the half while Makaluksy added 12. BU earned a two-point lead at the break by outscoring Villanova 18-16 in the second frame. Villanova’s duo of Jasmine Bascoe and Bronagh Power-Cassidy kept it close by combining for 18 of Nova’s 33 first half points.
Butler led Nova for most of the third quarter, but a late 8-0 scoring run from the Wildcats would put the visitors back in front 45-43. Cristen Carter scored on Butler’s final possession of the third and the two teams would head to the fourth deadlocked at 45-45.
The last quarter started to heat up at the five minute mark when Lily Zeinstra hit a corner 3-pointer to expand the Butler lead to 55-51. Nova climbed back in it with a 6-0 run and Maddie Webber would give the ‘Cats a two-point lead at 57-55.
Villanova increased their lead to 59-55 after a layup from Denae Carter and free throws from Webber made the game 61-55 with 41 seconds left.
Zeinstra continued to attack for the Bulldogs. She made a layup and added two free throws to cut the deficit to just two points with 28 seconds remaining. That two-point lead would ride all the way to the final nine seconds of the game.
Bascoe made it a two possession game with six seconds left in regulation and the Wildcats would hang on for a 63-59 victory.
Inside the Box Score
– Kilyn McGuff made four 3-pointers to help her net a team-high 19 points
– Riley Makalusky made three 3-pointers and added four rebounds to her final stat line
– Butler outrebounded Villanova 34-30
– Butler made eight 3-pointers on Wednesday while Villanova drilled seven
– Villanova used a trapping press to create 19 BU turnovers
– The Wildcats scored 30 points off BU miscues
– Butler’s bench outscored Villanova’s 21-7
– Butler had 13 assists on their first 13 made field goals
– Maddie Webber scored nine of her team-high 19 points in the third quarter
– Jasmine Bascoe had 16 points, six rebounds and five assists
Up Next
Butler will be in action against Marquette on Super Bowl Sunday. The 2 p.m. tip will stream live on FloSports.com.
