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Nine BIG EAST teams in action on Saturday; Butler Wins Double OT Thriller to Start BIG EAST Play

MBB Minute: It was a full slate of eight games on Saturday, led by Butler prevailing over Providence in a double overtime battle in the first BIG EAST contest of the season.  Seton Hall took the Garden State Hardwood Classic in convincing fashion, while Villanova dominated Pitt and DePaul earned a key road win at Wichita State.  St. John's and Georgetown also won at home on Saturday.

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Butler 113, Providence 110 (2OT) - Box Score 
The first BIG EAST game of the season proved to be a memorable one as Butler prevailed in double overtime at home against Providence.  Michael Ajayi finished with 28 points and 15 rebounds while Finley Bizjack scored 12 of his 26 points in the extra frames.  The Bulldogs overcame an eight-point second half deficit and led by two in regulation before PC's Jaylin Sellers hit two FT to force OT. The Friars led 110-107 with 90 seconds to play in the second OT before 3-pointers from Bizjack and Evan Haywood put Butler ahead for good.  The game featured 30 lead changes and 20 ties.  Providence was led by Jason Edwards' 32 points, while Sellers added 26.

Of Note: 
  • This was the second-highest combined point total in a BIG EAST conference game (223).  
  • On Feb. 9, 2002, Notre Dame (116) and Georgetown (111) combined for 227 in a four-overtime affair.
  • It marked the eighth time overall that two league teams scored 100 in a conference game and the first since Jan. 9, 2019 (Marquette 106, Creighton 104)


Seton Hall 81, Rutgers 59 - Box Score 
The Pirates scored the first 11 points, dominating the Scarlet Knights on both ends of the floor.  Rutgers would get within one with seven minutes left in the opening frame, but AJ Staton-McCray scored eight points amidst a 15-0 run to put the game out of reach.  Seton Hall scored 52 of its 81 points in the painted area, connecting on nearly 55% shooting for the game.  Defensively, SHU logged 13 steals and seven blocks and scored 21 points off 18 Rutgers turnovers.  Budd Clark earned the Joe Calabrese MVP award for the game, finishing with 16 points, seven assists, and four steals.  

Villanova 79, Pitt 61 - Box Score 
Duke Brennan and Bryce Lindsay scored 24 points apiece and the Wildcats dominated its former conference foe.  Nova closed the first half on a 17-4 run and led by nine at the break.  Pitt got within four early in the second half but got no closer.  Brennan made all eight of his FG attempts and grabbed nine boards, while Lindsay connected on four 3-pointers.  Nova dished out 20 assists on 26 made baskets - marking the third game with at least 20 dimes this season.

St. John's 91, Iona 64 - Box Score 
Six Red Storm players reached double-digits, led by 19 from Oziyah Sellers.  SJU led by 10 at the break and closed the second half on a 43-20 push in the win.  Joson Sanon and Bryce Hopkins each finished with 13 points.  Zuby Ejiofor registered eight blocked shots for the second consecutive game, becoming the first-ever St. John's player - and the first in Division I since 2021 - to do so.  With the victory, head coach Rick Pitino registered his 20th career win over teams that he formerly coached.

DePaul 61, Wichita State 58 - Box Score 
The Blue Demons closed out non-conference play with a true road win at Wichita State.  CJ Gunn led the way with 18 points, while NJ Benson added 12 points.  DePaul fell behind 14-2 to start, but responded with a 21-3 run and took the lead for good.  The two teams battled back and forth throughout the second half, before a pair of FT by Gunn sealed the win.  The Blue Demons move to 6-0 this season when holding their opponent under 65 points.

Georgetown 76,St. Peter's 68 (OT) - Box Score 
Julius Halaifonua tallied a career-best 22 points, making 9-of-12 shots from the floor, while grabbing nine boards and blocking two shots.  Caleb Williams added 14 points and Jeremiah Williams 10 as the Hoyas closed out non-conference play.

Purdue 79, Marquette 59 - Box Score 
Royce Parham scored a career-best 19 points and Chase Ross added 10 as Marquette closed out non-conference play with a loss at No. 6/6 Purdue.  Ross has reached double-digits in the scoring column in each of his 11 appearances this season.  Sean Jones and Nigel James Jr. combined to dish out nine assists for the Golden Eagles.

Kansas State 83, Creighton 76- Box Score 
Josh Dix and Isaac Traudt each scored 18 points as Creighton battled Kansas State at home. The Bluejays trailed by as many as 20 in the second half but used an 11-0 run to heat up offensively.  CU got within three (73-70) with 2:41 to play but got no closer. Austin Swartz drilled four 3-pointers as Creighton made 12 trifectas on the day.

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There are no BIG EAST games scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 14.