The Butler Bulldogs (9-7, 3-1) made big plays at winning time to escape from the Nutter Center with a hard-fought 63-62 win over the Wright State Raiders (8-9, 3-2).
The Horizon League rivals played a rough and tumble game at the Nutter Center which is always a difficult venue for visiting teams. Throughout the game the lead changed hands as both teams went on runs, appearing to take control of the action.
Former Marion High School star, Julius Mays scored 24 points for Wright State and his three-pointer with 1:54 left in the game put the Raiders ahead 57-54. But Butler big man Andrew Smith answered hitting back-to-back three-pointers to stun Wright State.
With the game tied in the waning seconds, Ronald Nored appeared to set up the game-winning bucket when he drew a defender and then wrapped a pass around the Raider for a Khyle Marshall dunk. The refs intervened though calling a blocking foul on Wright State to put Nored at the line with 2.7 seconds to play.
After making the first free throw, Nored tried to miss the second to run out the clock. The ball squirted out of bounds before the time ran out giving Wright State one last chance, but a Mays runner from 30 feet bounced off the rim allowing the Bulldogs to get out of town with a valuable league win.
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