BUTLER RELEASE Butler overcame a seven-point deficit over the final 76 seconds of the game but Jaron Pierre’s putback gave host SMU an 87-85 win over Butler Saturday afternoon at Moody Coliseum in Dallas. Finley Bizjack, who had already hit five three-pointers in the game, pulled up from 10 feet behind the three-point arc but his game-winning attempt caromed off the back of the rim. With the win, SMU improves to 4-0; Butler suffers its first loss of the season (3-1). HOW IT HAPPENED: The Bulldogs opened the game with a 10-2 spurt that forced an SMU timeout with 17:49 to play. The first six points came on back-to-back three-pointers from Bizjack as Butler opened 4-for-5 from the field as a team. Butler led 43-38 at the half behind 8-for-15 three-point shooting over the first 20 minutes. SMU was 0-for-7 in the first half. The Bulldogs were able to overcome 11 turnovers in the opening frame. A 7-0 SMU run gave the home team its first lead since 2-0 as Samet Yigitoglu’s follow slam gave SMU a 48-47 advantage with 16:50 remaining, forcing a Butler timeout. Seven straight makes by SMU gave the Mustangs a double-digit advantage at 62-52 with 12:35 to play. A Boopie Miller three-pointer with 1:41 to play gave SMU a seven-point advantage (85-78) but the next seven points belonged to Butler, capped by a Michael Ajayi three-pointer to tie the game with 37 seconds remaining. TIP-INS: Bizjack had 18 points for the Bulldogs, making five three-pointers for the second consecutive game. It was a homecoming of sorts for the Trophy Club, Texas native (which is approximately 30 miles from the SMU campus). Ajayi posted his fourth consecutive double-double to start the season and his Butler career with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Miller scored 23 points to go along with 12 assists to lead SMU. Pierre had 18. Samet Yigitoglu and B.J. Edwards each scored 14 points. Saturday’s tip in Dallas completes a home-and-home series between the two programs that began exactly one year ago (Nov. 15, 2024) in Indianapolis. Butler is now 2-1 all-time against the Mustangs (including a match-up during the 1939-40 season). Yohan Traore, who played for SMU during the 2024-25 season, scored nine points for Butler Saturday. Butler had 24 assists on 29 made field goals, but had 17 turnovers. Behind 70-percent shooting in the second half, SMU shot 56 percent for the game. SMU had 62 points in the paint. Butler went 13-for-29 from three-point range but SMU hit only four from behind the arc. Up Next The Bulldogs will play South Carolina and Virginia in the Greenbrier Tip-Off Nov. 21 and 23, respectively, before returning to Hinkle for a Nov. 28 tip against Wright State. About The Author troyderengowski61@gmail.com See author's posts Post navigation IRISH STIFLE PITT FOR EIGHTH-STRAIGHT VICTORY THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” SUNDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2025
