Butler holds on to beat Texas, ending disappointing season for Longhorns
With its initial momentum evaporated and Roosevelt Jones out with an injury early in the second half, Butler looked to be in danger of becoming another upset victim on the first day of the NCAA tournament.
But the sixth-seeded Bulldogs withstood the absence of their most important player, using a 12-2 run to re-establish control of the game and holding on from there for a 56-48 win over 11-seed Texas in Pittsburgh.
Led by guard Isaiah Taylor, who scored 10 straight points for Texas, the Longhorns scrapped their way back into it down the stretch and got within one point with just under three minutes to play. Butler sharpshooter Kellen Dunham then shook off a subpar shooting day to hit a huge three-pointer with just over minute remaining, pushing the Bulldogs’ lead to 48-43 and allowing them to salt the game away from the free throw line.
UAB shocks South No. 3 seed Iowa State to advance in NCAA tournament
Though Jones’ health remains a question due to his noticeable limp after re-entering the game, Butler moves on to play in-state rival Notre Dame in the round of 32. Texas’s loss meant the Big 12 went winless in its first three games of the tournament.
