Butler Defeats IU Kokomo at Hinkle

By: Ethan Hennessy

Indianapolis Indiana

Butler had a large advantage in second chance points (14 to 2) and points in the paint (30 to 16) as the Bulldogs easily cruised to a 70-40 win over IU Kokomo in the first of Butler’s two exhibitions to open the season.

Sean McDermont led the way for the Bulldogs in scoring tallying 18 points on 5-7 shooting. Kamar Baldwin and Christian David each had 11 and 10 respectively. IU Kokomo struggled to run their offense turning the ball over 19 times. As a result they had no double digit scorers in the game. The cougars leading scorer was Akil McClain who dropped 8.

Aaron Thompson of Butler shoots a floater at the top of the key. 

Butler jumped out to a quick advantage going up 13-5 at the under 12 timeout. They carried the momentum into the locker room going up 27 points at half 46-19.  The frustration was getting to the visiting cougars as they got tangled up with some Butler players right before the break and a technical foul was issued to Allante Harper of IU Kokomo. In the second half it was more of the same. Lavall Jordan inserted junior walk-on Donovan Campbell who hit a deep three shortly after checking in. The crowd at Hinkle roared with excitement.

Butler had no trouble with the first of their two exhibitions. The second one on Friday night though should prove to be a bit more of a challenge. Butler welcomes the greyhounds of University of Indianapolis who just beat Loyola Chicago to Hinkle Fieldhouse. Tipoff is set for 7 P.M. Eastern time.

It was good to catch up with my former classmate at Valpo Derrik Smits who is now the center for Butler. We sat down for an interview on the Happening Hoops Radio Show after the game.