Game Recap: Sharp Shooting Bulldogs Knock Off SMU 81-70

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INDIANAPOLIS — Friday night’s game was a chance for the Butler Bulldogs to prove they can compete with other power conference schools. They seized it with an 81-70 victory thanks to the Dawgs’ best shooting performance of the season.

Still reeling from their loss to Austin Peay last week, even with their win over Western Michigan to follow, the Bulldogs still had an aura of uncertainty surrounding the season. They needed a win over a solid opponent to silence some of the critics.

Southern Methodist, undefeated and newly acquired by the Atlantic Coast Conference, provided that opportunity.

“They followed the game plan to a tee,” said head coach Thad Matta. “We were very specific in our game plan going into this tonight. We kept saying every timeout ‘Just do your job. Just do your job’.”

SMU attacked early at Butler’s weakest point: their post-play. Going with the forward-heavy starting lineup for the second straight game, Butler would have to rely on other means to compete with SMU’s size advantage.

Those means would come in the way of lights-out 3-point shooting led off by Patrick McCaffery, who scored all nine of his first-half points from behind-the-arc. He and Kolby King, who came off the bench, helped the Bulldogs take control of the game late in the half.

The hot shooting hit an equilibrium with turnovers, which have been a continuing issue for the Dawgs. Though they committed just five in the first half, they came at inopportune times. This allowed SMU to continue their dominance in the paint. Adding to those struggles was the misfortune of Augusto Cassia, who got into foul trouble and had to sit for the majority of the first half.

Butler only led 36-33 at halftime.

Jahmyl Telfort had a tough first half, but he would ignite the Butler offense early in the second half hitting a lay-up and then a 3-pointer in consecutive possessions.

“We just wanted to keep punching,” Telfort said. “This is a team (SMU) that wants to play fast., We just needed to keep punching and get on a run and that’s what we were trying to do.”

After a timeout to calm things down by SMU head coach Andy Enfield, the Mustangs regained the upper hand. It was thank to pure shooting and gutsy play from Boopie Miller and former Butler player Chuck Harris. They and the rest of the SMU squad forced four Butler turnovers in the span of two minutes. This resulted in a 7-0 run and a 50-48 Mustangs lead with 13:03 left to play.

“We took a timeout out there. They were getting a run on us,” Matta said. “We wanted to regather our thoughts there and the guys did a great job in coming out and going on a run ourselves.”

Enter Telfort once again. He hit another lay-up and another 3-pointer which sparked a 16-2 scoring swing that gave Butler the separation they were looking for. Kolby King hit two more threes in that span and would finish 4-of-4 in that regard with 14 points.

Both teams shot nearly even on the night, SMU 41% and Butler 42%. The difference, as illustrated, was the deep shooting from the Bulldogs. They ended the night hitting 12-of-26 from 3-point range, which is a new season high.

Despite 15 turnovers for the game, Butler never looked back. After that long scoring run and closed out the victory and dealt the Mustangs their first loss of the season.

Telfort ended the night with 19 points. Pierre Brooks and King each had 14 with McCaffery and Finly Bizjack each scoring 12. Andre Screen had his best game of the season subbing in for the foul-riddled Cassia. Screen ended the night with a near double-double 10 points and nine rebounds

The victory is the first for the Bulldogs over an ACC opponent since beating North Carolina in 2014. It also gives Butler momentum and added confidence as they continue their non-conference slate against Merrimack on Nov. 22.