Nov. 26, 2008
Box Score
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. -- Michael Thompson (Chicago, Ill./Lincoln Park) scored 12 points while Craig Moore (Doylestown, Pa./Lawrenceville (N.J.) Prep) and Ivan Peljusic (Zadar Croatia/V. Nazor Gymnasium) added 11, but Butler came from behind late in the second half to edge out a 57-53 victory over the Wildcats at Hinkle Fieldhouse Wednesday night.
Northwestern shot 48 percent from the field and made 8 of 17 3-pointers, but Butler outscored the Wildcats 17-3 from the free-throw line and forced 17 turnovers.
Northwestern led 36-27 at halftime, then extended its lead to 11 points in the opening minute of the second half.
Butler got back into the game with a 9-0 run. The Bulldogs took their first lead of the second half on a 3-pointer by Hayward with 7:10 to play.
Butler led 52-51 in the final minute before Howard made a layup with 30 seconds left, then Hayward made two free throws with 14 seconds left to make it 56-51.