Butler’s house in order as Bulldogs top Phoenix

A key defensive play enabled Illinois-Chicago to seal a 65-61 win over Detroit.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

INDIANAPOLIS — Matt Howard scored 15 points and No. 16 Butler got its offense in sync in the second half, rallying to beat conference rival Wisconsin-Green Bay 68-59 on Thursday.

The Bulldogs won their ninth in a row overall, their ninth straight over the Phoenix and are 17-1 (8-0 Horizon League) for the first time in school history.

Rahmon Fletcher scored 22 points for Green Bay (14-6, 6-2), which lost for only the second time in 10 games.

Ill.-Chicago 65, Detroit 61

DETROIT — Robo Kreps scored 21 points and made a critical defensive play to help Illinois-Chicago hold off Detroit.

The Titans trailed 63-61 and had the ball in the final seconds, but Kreps forced a steal near halfcourt and got the ball to Josh Mayo, who scored the insurance basket as time expired. The Flames (10-8, 3-5 Horizon) led 62-54 with 1:18 but Detroit embarked on a 7-1 run to give itself a chance.

Mayo finished with 15 points and Tori Boyd added 10 for Illinois-Chicago, which has won two of its last three.

Valparaiso 63, Wis.-Milwaukee 51

VALPARAISO, Ind. — Jake Diebler scored 19 points and Valparaiso used a 26-0 run.

The Crusaders (6-14, 3-6 Horizon League) held the Panthers (12-7, 7-2) scoreless for the final 4:10 of the first half and the first 7:52 of the final period.

Milwaukee led by as many as 12 points early, but a 3-pointer by Diebler started Valparaiso’s big run. Diebler had one more 3-pointer in the opening period, putting the Crusaders ahead for good at 29-28, and a layup by Urule Igbavboa gave Valpo a 31-28 lead at the half.

Valparaiso then scored the first 12 points of the second half.

Erik Buggs added 14 points and Little finished with 11 for Valparaiso.

Milwaukee was led by Tone Boyle with 15 points and James Eayrs with 14.

Wright State 68, Loyola of Chicago 47

DAYTON — Troy Tabler scored 16 points and Wright State’s defense dominated in the second half.

Wright State (11-8, 5-3) has won 11 of its last 13 games overall and its last five against Loyola (11-9, 3-5).

Loyola managed only four field goals in the second half, when it shot 15 percent (4-of-26) and scored 17 points. The 47 points overall were a season low.

J.R. Blount led Loyola with 10. Senior guard Justin Cerasoli, who was coming off a career-best 28-point performance in a win over Valparaiso, scored only six points on 2-of-10 shooting.

Dayton 63, George Washington 61

WASHINGTON — Chris Wright made three free throws — the first two after a technical foul on George Washington for having six players on the court — as Dayton escaped.

The Colonials were assessed the technical when the Flyers (17-2, 3-1 Atlantic 10 Conference) attempted to inbound the ball at their own end with 21.9 seconds left.