This matchup of former so-called "mid-majors" lived up to all of its billing and much more. #8 Gonzaga and #13 Butler captured the college basketball world on Saturday and made everyone forget about what went on this week with all of the Lance Armstrong and Manti Te'o news that bogged down the sports world.
Butler's Roosevelt Jones stole David Stockton's inbound pass with seconds left, drove down and sank a floater from 13-feet as time expired to lift his Bulldogs over the visiting Gonzaga Bulldogs, 64-63.
It was a tough task that many thought Butler might not be able to do, but senior guard Rotnei Clarke missed his second consecutive game with a sprained neck from last Saturday's win at Dayton. No need for Butler to worry, Clarke's teammates were more than happy to step up and take his place until he's able to be back in the lineup.
In a game that had six ties and 14 lead changes, it was pretty evident that it was going to be a game that came down to the wire.
Even with a capacity crowd (10,228) at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Gonzaga wasn't frazzled at all with the home crowd playing a big factor. The visiting Bulldogs from Spokane jumped out to an early 13-4 lead before Butler's offense was sparked by freshman Kellen Dunham. Dunham put the Dawgs on his shoulders on a run that brought Butler right back in the game with a 22-20 lead with 7:52 left in the first half. In that seven minute span, Dunham led an 18-7 run with three treys, the last of those from the deep right wing for the two-point edge.
Sam Dower was huge off the Zags' bench, lighting up the Hinkle nets for 16 of his 20 points, including a three-pointer with 49 ticks until intermission to give Gonzaga a 33-32 halftime advantage.
Roosevelt Jones knocked down a jumper just 15 seconds into the second half to give Butler a 34-33 edge that they would keep until things got knotted up at 50-50 with a Kelly Olynyk layup. Olynyk had a long haircut that resembled Bill Walton in the 1970's when he was playing for the Portland Trailblazers.
Jones and Khyle Marshall combined for eight straight for Butler, giving them a slim 58-55 margin with 2:13 remaining.
Elias Harris gave the Zags a brief lead (59-58) with 1:26 left, but that didn't last long. On the ensuing possession, Rose Jones nailed a free throw line jumper for a 60-59 BU lead.
Harris provided a little more spark for Gonzaga with another two to go up 61-60.
Alex Barlow found a lane to the basket for a layup with 0:24 left and Butler in front 62-61. Barlow was the unlikely hero when then-unranked Butler upset then-#1 Indiana on December 15th.
The next trip down the floor for Gonzaga, Olynyk drove to the bucket, only to be fouled hard by Barlow. Olynyk sank two from the charity stripe to tie and then bump the Zags ahead 63-62 with just 4.6 seconds on the clock.
Near half court with 3.5 left, Barlow committed a traveling violation, giving the ball back to Gonzaga.
"I heard their coach saying to lob it to (Kelly) Olynyk, so I just played behind him, made the basketball play and got the steal," said Roosevelt Jones. " I looked at the clock and saw four seconds, so I knew I could get down court. I saw Olynyk come up to me and I floated over him."
Jones did just that. He saw the inbound from David Stockton and cushioned himself from Olynyk to steal the ball. Once Rose Jones stole the ball, there was no stopping him. He kept complete control, dribble-driving to the right side of the free throw line, pulling up from 13-feet. Floating a shot with 0.1 left, Jones' shot dropped through the net as time expired, giving #8 Butler its 13th consecutive win and third win over a top 10 team this season, 64-63 over #13 Gonzaga.
Three players dominated the scoring for Gonzaga (17-2). Sam Dower and Elias Harris each tallied team-highs of 20 points on a combined 16-25 from the floor. Kelly Olynyk also reached double-figures with 14.
Butler (16-2) limited Gonzaga to 29% from three (4-14) and shot 42% (8-19) themselves, Dunham and Chase Stigall got together to shoot 6-of-11 from outside-the-arc. The host Bulldogs shot 50% overall from the field (22-44) and outrebounded the Zags 28-26. It's probably a good thing that Butler was able to knock down shots when they needed to throughout the game, because they shot an uncharacteristic 12-for-23 from the free throw line.
Victorious Butler was led by Roosevelt Jones with 20 points, while also having five boards, four assists and his game-winning steal in the final seconds. Jones became Saturday's hero, despite the 7 turnovers he committed. Kellen Dunham dropped in 14 points, 12 from three-point land. Marshall finished with 8, Stigall and Andrew Smith with 7 each.
Butler continues their A-10 schedule with a trip to Philadelphia to face the LaSalle Explorers (12-5, 2-2 A-10) on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. The Temple Owls (12-5, 2-2 A-10) make the trip from Philadelphia on Saturday for a 6 p.m. tip at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
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