INDIANAPOLIS - Butler defeated the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 108-71 on Monday morning in the Bulldogs season opener in front of a crowd of 4,313 people. It was the third largest crowd in Butler women's basketball history and Head Coach Maria Marchesano's first win as the coach of the Bulldogs. Six Bulldogs scored in double figures in the contest and BU was led by
Taya Ellis who had 19 points in the game.
BU held its annual Kids Day Game, with local Indianapolis schools in attendance. In partnership with the NCAA, this game will serve as our annual Readers Become Leaders event. Close to 3,500 Indianapolis students and their teachers attended the game as the program encourages young students to continue reading in school.
BULLDOG HIGHLIGHTS
- Taya Ellis led all Bulldogs with 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the floor. The senior added eight rebounds, one assist and two steals in 15 minutes of action.
- Tamar Singer recorded her first double-double of her Butler career recording 10 points and 10 assists. The guard added three rebounds and three steals in the contest.
- Saniya Jackson poured in 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor.
- Nevaeh Jackson added 13 points and four rebounds to go with four assists.
- Judit Valero had 10 points and four rebounds.
- Karina Bystry added 10 points and four rebounds.
- Sage Miskel, Laniah Wills, Olivia Hastings and Lexi Baer all made their collegiate debuts.
- Wills recorded five points and six boards in her first collegiate game.
- Butler outrebounded TTU 48-30.
- The Bulldogs shot 58.2-percent from the floor (39-67) and shot 73-percent from the charity stripe (27-37).
- BU had 28 fast break points and scored 70 points in the paint.
- The last time Butler scored over 100 points in a game was Dec. 11 of last season when BU scored 101 against Indiana State at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
- Today's victory was the third most points Butler has scored in a game dating back to 1990. BU posted 109 against Valparaiso in 1990 and the program record for most points was set in 1999 when Butler scored 116 vs. Detroit.
- Butler had six players score in double figures for the first time since Nov. 28, 2025 when BU had six in double figures against Dayton.
TENNESSEE TECH HIGHLIGHTS
- Karson Martin led all scorers with 25 points in the game on 8-for-16 shooting.
- Morgan Sieper added 10 points, four rebounds and three steals.
- Savannah Davis had 11 points and five assists.
- LaReesha Cawthorn had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Butler opened the game on an 11-5 run, forcing Tennessee Tech to take a timeout at the 7:24 mark of the first quarter. BU scored the first seven points after the TTU timeout as the Bulldog lead grew to as many as 13 (18-5). Butler continued to dominate the first quarter as the Bulldogs took the 31-14 lead into the second.
- Both sides traded buckets early in the second quarter. Butler settled in and behind a Weisbrod 3-pointer, BU was able to extend its lead to 20 (40-20) at the halfway mark of the frame. Butler made four of its last five shots in the second quarter taking the 56-30 lead into the half.
- Butler opened the third quarter hot with back-to-back buckets on fast breaks forcing TTU to take an early time out. TTU went on an 8-2 run with just over six minutes left in the quarter, as the Bulldogs were in foul trouble early. Butler put together a 9-0 run shortly after, giving the Bulldogs a 31-point (75-44) lead with just under four minutes left in the frame. BU closed the quarter making four of its last five shots as BU held an 82-55 advantage at the end of the third.
- The Bulldogs opened the fourth quarter on an 14-4 run behind seven points from the Jackson twins. BU continued to dominate as the Golden Eagles, making six-of-seven shots down the stretch as the Bulldog lead grew to as many as 38 (100-62). With a comfortable lead, Butler cruised to the 108-71 victory at the final whistle.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Thursday, Nov. 5 as Lipscomb visits Iconic Hinkle Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Greg Rakestraw and Dante Lang on the call. Fans can also listen live on the Butler Sports App or the Butler Athletics MIXLR page. More information about the game can be found on
Butlersports.com.
