After its six-game winning streak came to an end over the weekend, Butler is set to play host to North Dakota State on Tuesday night in Indianapolis.The Bulldogs (7-2) are coming off a 79-51 road loss to then-No. 17 Houston after scoring 18 points in the first half against the defensive-minded Cougars, then watching their opponent score 51 points in the second half.Patrick McCaffery and Augusto Cassia each scored 11 to lead Butler, who shot just 28.3 percent from the floor and 32.1 percent from 3-point range.”It wasn’t like a crazy, wild environment. They just took us out of what we wanted to do,” Butler coach Thad Matta said to the Indianapolis Star after the game. “We just couldn’t find our rhythm offensively. It just started to snowball, then it became contagious for them guys making shots.”Tuesday’s game gives Butler a chance to prepare for the rough road ahead, with games against No. 20 Wisconsin, No. 6 Marquette and No. 18 UConn all in succession over an eight-day span starting Saturday.North Dakota State (7-4) comes in riding a four-game win streak, most recently taking down Northern Colorado at home 82-70 on Saturday.Jacksen Moni led the way with 18 points and seven rebounds, while five other Bison players scored in double figures, including Brennan Watkins’ 11 points and seven boards.
Butler to face North Dakota State with major tests looming
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