Jan. 25, 2001

Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Thomas Jackson scored 21 points and was 5-of-6 from the free-throw line as Butler defeated UIC, 76-69, Thursday night.

Three other Bulldogs were in double digits in a game where Butler (12-6, 4-2 Midwestern Collegiate) never relinquished the lead.

The game opened with a jumper by Butler's LaVall Jordan. UIC responded with a jumper from Joel Bullock, making it 2-2 at 18:00. But Illinois-Chicago (9-9, 3-2) never pulled ahead as Butler went on a 14-4 run, bringing the score to 16-6 at 11:50.

Butler led at the half, 36-29.

UIC improved its shooting in the second half and came within two, making it 46-44 at 13:58. But a jumper by Joel Cornette sparked a 15-5 run that put Butler ahead to stay.

UIC made a mere 11-of-35 shots in the first half, shooting only 31 percent. But it improved to 61 percent in the second period, for an average of 44 percent. Butler shot 47 percent for the game.

Jordan had 15 points for Butler and Cornette added 12. Darnell Archey had 10 points.

Maurice Brown led UIC with 16 points. Joe Scott and Jon-Pierre Mitchom each had 13 points while Bullock added 10.