Deadspin: Butler Rides 3-Point Shooting to Blowout Win Over Lafayette

Butler’s offense sets the pace

Djulovic scored 19 points, Jackson added 18 and Ellerbee finished with 16 as Butler defeated Lafayette 96-60. Eduardo Klafke contributed 13 points, while Drayton Jones had 10 points and four blocks.

The Bulldogs shot 47.8 percent from the field and made 16 of 44 attempts from 3-point range. Djulovic, Jackson and Ellerbee each went 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. The victory marked Ronald Nored’s first game as Butler’s head coach.

Three-pointers widen the gap

Butler built a 28-15 lead before Lafayette put together a 7-0 run, including a wing 3-pointer by Patrick D’Arcy, to cut the margin to 28-22. Samu Adler answered with a 3-pointer, restoring a nine-point Butler advantage with 7:10 left in the half.

Djulovic then scored six straight points on consecutive 3-pointers, pushing Butler ahead 44-27 with just under four minutes remaining. Jackson hit a 3-pointer before halftime, sending the Bulldogs into the break with a 54-34 lead. Butler made 11 of 26 shots from long range in the first half.

Lafayette fades after halftime

Djulovic had 14 first-half points, making all three of his 3-point attempts and all five of his free throws. He did not miss his first field-goal attempt until 17:52 remained in the game.

Klafke scored seven points early in the second half as Butler outscored Lafayette 13-7 after the break. Lafayette shot 46.7 percent in the first half but 29.7 percent in the second, and finished 4-for-24 from 3-point range.

The Leopards also committed 16 turnovers, leading to 21 Butler points. Butler improved to 1-0 and extended its run of season-opening wins to 15; Lafayette fell to 0-1.