CINCINNATI – The Butler Bulldogs almost did it again. Almost.
Trevon Bluiett scored 21 points and J.P. Macura 20, and Xavier built a 14-point lead before holding off Butler 86-79 Tuesday night in Big East basketball.
Xavier (15-1, 3-0) is No. 4 in the USA Today/Coaches’ poll and No. 5 by Associated Press, matching its highest rankings ever. The Musketeers seized sole possession of first place.
It is the first time Butler has ever played two Top-5 opponents consecutively. The Bulldogs knocked off then-No. 1 Villanova 101-93 Saturday.
Kamar Baldwin scored 28 points and Kelan Martin 25 for Butler (12-4, 2-1).