Indianapolis, IN (My Sportsbook) - Gordon Hayward scored 18 points, as 13th- ranked Butler outlasted Valparaiso, 59-51, to remain perfect in the Horizon League.

Willie Veasley logged 13 points, while Matt Howard totaled nine points and 11 rebounds for the Bulldogs (19-1, 10-0 Horizon), who stretched their winning streak to 11 games and matched the conference record with their 21st consecutive victory against a league opponent.

Urule Igbavboa totaled 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists to pace the Crusaders (6-16, 3-8), who have dropped five of six. Logan Jones compiled 10 points in the loss for Valpo.

The first half was highlighted by inept shooting and poor ball security.

Butler did get off to a great 10-0 start, then went cold. Meanwhile, it took nearly six minutes for Valpo to dent the scoreboard, and De'Andre Haskins hit a three-pointer from the right corner to cut the deficit to 10-5 with about 12 minutes left in the horrendous opening frame.

A Veasley layup snapped a seven-minute scoring drought for the Bulldogs and kick-started a 9-3 run for the home team. Hayward and Shelvin Mack followed up a three-ball by Valpo's Howard Little with back-to-back treys, and Howard capped the spurt by sinking one of two from the foul line.

However, the Crusaders rattled off 11 straight points to tie the score at 19-all, and trailed 24-22 at the break.

Butler shot 38.1 percent (8-for-21) from the floor and missed six of nine free throw attempts, while Valpo made just 28 percent (7-for-25) of its shots. Both clubs committed 12 turnovers through the opening 20 minutes.

The Bulldogs built an eight-point with about 11 1/2 minutes to play in the game before Valpo closed the gap and seized its first lead of the contest at 43-41 after Jones made two free throws.

Butler then scored 11 consecutive points to go up 52-43 with just over two minutes remaining. The Crusaders, though, refused to go away quietly and made a late run to trim the deficit to 52-50. The Bulldogs went 7-of-8 from the charity stirpe down the stretch to cement the ugly win.

Game Notes

Butler finished the game shooting 37.8 percent (17-for-45) from the field compared to the Crusaders, who shot 36.2 percent (17-for-47)...The clubs combined for 39 turnovers, with the Bulldogs forcing 21...Butler owns a 63-32 series lead over Valparaiso.