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Butler Outrebounds Northwestern in Tight Contest
21 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Butler secured a win by controlling second chances and outrebounding Northwestern 41-35.
- Northwestern trailed by six at halftime and could not overtake Butler in the second half.
- Jayden Reid led Northwestern with 14 points and six assists, but team struggled from three-point range.
Butler secured a hard-fought victory over Northwestern, leaning on superior rebounding to compensate for a lower field goal percentage. The Bulldogs established dominance early, outrebounding the Wildcats 23-14 in the first half and capitalizing on second-chance points. This early advantage proved crucial in maintaining a lead throughout the game.
Despite trailing 29-23 at halftime, Northwestern mounted several challenges in the second half, repeatedly cutting into Butler's lead. In the final minute, Tre Singleton's jumper narrowed the margin to one point. However, Butler's Ajayi responded with a key layup, and subsequent free throws by Evan Haywood sealed the win.
Jayden Reid was a standout for Northwestern, contributing 14 points and six assists, while Angelo Ciaravino added 12 points. However, the Wildcats' struggles from beyond the arc, where they shot only 4 of 23, hindered their comeback efforts. Butler is set to host NJIT, while Northwestern will next face Howard on December 30.
