INDIANAPOLIS – The Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball team gave Butler University (NCAA DI) all it could handle before the Bulldogs pulled away late in an exhibition contest on Wednesday at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Cardinals cut the Bulldog lead to five points with an 11-0 run heading to the final media timeout of the second half. Butler answered with an 8-0 run to escape with the 68-57 win.

NOTE: The contest was a countable game for Butler.

How it Happened:

• SVSU started fast with 3-pointers from James Toohey and Darnell Hoskins Jr. to take an early 6-3 lead.
• Butler took control midway through the first half with a 12-0 run, building a 23-11 advantage.
• A 16-2 run for the Cardinals put SVSU back in front 27-26 with 1:29 left in the first half, but the Bulldogs scored the final four points of the opening 20 minutes to lead by three at the break.
• Butler built a 16-point advantage with just under eight minutes to play.
• SVSU answered with a quick 11-0 run, including 3-pointers from Toohey, Freddie McIntosh, and Maurice Barnett to cut the deficit to five.
• Butler pulled away down the stretch and held on for the win.   

Inside the Box Score:

• Delano Smith led the Cardinals with 12 points.
• Maurice Barnett added 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
• James Toohey hit three 3-pointers, closing the game with 11 points.
• Freddie McIntosh scored six points on a pair of threes off the bench, adding five rebounds and five assists.
• The Cardinals shot 22-of-54 from the field, 8-of-24 from deep, and 5-of-7 at the line.
• Bryce Golden and Jair Bolden each scored 15 points to lead the Bulldogs.
• Butler outrebounded SVSU 32-28.

Up Next:

The Cardinals (4-2) open the 2021-22 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference season against No. 13 Grand Valley State University at 8 pm Thursday in Allendale, Mich.