INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Andrew Smith scored 20 points and led a strong inside game that carried Butler to a 71-55 victory over Youngstown State on Sunday.
Kameron Woods added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs (10-9, 4-3 Horizon), while Jackson Aldridge also had 10 points. Butler outrebounded the Penguins 38-25, leading to a 17-4 advantage in second-chance points.
Ashen Ward led Youngstown State (9-8, 4-3) with 21 points. Kendrick Perry added 10.
The Bulldogs never trailed after going on an early 11-0 run that put them on top 13-6. Butler turned that into a 34-27 halftime advantage, then used a 9-1 run in the second half to extend the lead to 46-33 with 12:27 remaining.
Butler grabbed its biggest lead, 56-36, when Chrishawn Hopkins nailed a 3-pointer with 8:18 left in the game.
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