Butler had more energy, more resolve, more defense. What it needed was more baskets.
The Bulldogs, who were without three injured starters, stuck with Xavier for 38 of 40 minutes before losing 63-51 Sunday night in Big East basketball at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati.
Butler shot 18% (6-of-32) in a 20-point second half. It was the third straight loss for the Bulldogs (7-13, 6-11) and dropped their road record to 1-8.
Xavier outscored Butler 9-2 over the closing 91 seconds.
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For the the game, the Bulldogs shot 29.