COL BKB: Butler 68, Wisc-GB 59

Matt Howard’s 15 points and six rebounds Thursday paced No. 17 Butler’s 68-59 Horizon League win over Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Butler trailed, 25-22, at the half, after a determined defensive effort by UWGB, but Howard sank three key free throws late in a 46-34 Butler second half.

Howard spent much of the first half on the bench with foul problems.

Gordon Hayward scored 14 points with six rebounds, while Shelvin Mack compiled 11 points, five rebounds, and eight assists for the Bulldogs (17-1, 8-0), who extended their winning streak to nine consecutive games.

They have won nine in a row against UWGB.

Rahmon Fletcher led UWGB with 22 points, four assists, and three rebounds.

Troy Cotton scored 13 with four rebounds, and Ryan Tillemma added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Phoenix (14-6, 6-2), who lost the battle of the boards, 34-27, in the second loss in their last 10 outings.

They shot 40 percent from the floor to Butler’s 44 percent.