NCAA Game Summary - Providence at Butler

Indianapolis, IN (SportsNetwork.com) - Bryce Cotton scored a game-high 28 points, hitting 5-of-7 from 3-point range, and dished out six assists as the Providence Friars topped the Butler Bulldogs, 87-81, in a Big East Conference showdown at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

LaDontae Henton netted 15 points with seven assists for Providence (18-10, 8-7 Big East). Kadeem Batts, Tyler Harris and Josh Fortune each chipped in 14 points in the winning effort. The Friars have won two of their last three games.

Kellen Dunham scored 25 points to pace Butler (12-15, 2-13), while Khyle Marshall contributed 22 points. Andrew Chrabascz tallied 14 points and four assists, and Kameron Woods grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds in the loss, which was the sixth in a row for the Bulldogs.

Providence dominated in the first half, hitting 68 percent of its field goal tries, including 10-of-14 from 3-point range. The Friars took a 46-33 lead into the locker room at the half after Butler failed to keep pace, netting 44.8 percent of its shots.

The Friars nearly matched their first-half production in the second period, connecting on 64.7 percent of their shot attempts, adding 16-of-20 from the free-throw line. The Bulldogs improved to 53.3 percent shooting from the floor, and shaved seven points off the first-half Providence lead, but couldn't complete the full comeback.

Providence outscored Butler from 3-point distance in the contest, 39-18. Butler had the edge in points in the paint, 30-22.