BUTLER 47, #20 MISSISSIPPI STATE 46

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                   FG   FT  Reb
BUTLER       Min  M-A  M-A  O-T A PF PTS
Monserez       35  1-6  0-0  0-4 0  2   3
Curry          12  0-3  0-0  0-1 0  2   0
Cornette       33  4-7  1-2  2-6 1  4   9
Miller         37  5-12 2-2  0-2 4  1  14
Archey         36  2-6  2-2  2-4 0  2   8
Lightfoot Jr.  35  6-13 1-2  3-7 0  3  13
Horan           5  0-0  0-0  0-1 0  1   0
Sheets          7  0-0  0-0  0-0 0  0   0
Totals        200 18-47 6-8 7-25 5 15  47

Percentages: FG .383, FT .750. 
3-Point Goals: 5-18, .278 (Archey 2-4, Miller 2-7, Monserez 1-3, Curry 0-2, Lightfoot Jr. 0-2). 
Team Rebounds: 1. Team Turnovers: 8 (2 PTS). 
Blocked Shots: None 
Turnovers: 7 (Miller 4, Sheets 2, Cornette). 
Steals: 3 (Cornette 2, Lightfoot Jr.). 
Technical Fouls: Cornette, 0.0 first. 


                      FG   FT   Reb
MISSISSIPPI ST. Min  M-A   M-A  O-T  A PF PTS
Harper            33  0-5   2-2  2-5  0  1   2
Ignerski          25  0-6   0-0  1-3  1  3   0
Austin            38  8-12  1-4 2-10  0  1  18
Bowers            35  2-9   3-4  1-4  3  1   9
Zimmerman         31  1-5   2-4  0-1  5  4   4
Campbell           2  0-0   0-0  0-1  0  0   0
Frazier           17  3-5   0-0  0-1  0  2   9
Vincent           19  2-2   0-0  2-4  1  1   4
Totals           200 16-44 8-14 8-29 10 13  46

Percentages: FG .364, FT .571. 
3-Point Goals: 6-21, .286 (Frazier 3-4, Bowers 2-8, Austin 1-1, Harper 0-2, Ignerski 0-3, Zimmerman 0-3). 
Team Rebounds: 1. Team Turnovers: 10 (6 PTS). 
Blocked Shots: 4 (Austin 3, Ignerski). 
Turnovers: 10 (Frazier 2, Vincent 2, Zimmerman 2, Austin, Bowers, Campbell, Harper). 
Steals: 6 (Zimmerman 3, Austin, Frazier, Harper). 
Technical Fouls: Zimmerman, 0.0 first. 

Butler          28 19-47
Mississippi St. 25 21-46

A-16,467 

Officials-Mark Whitehead, Bill Vinovich, Patrick Evans.

DAVE'S POSTGAME ANALYSIS

Brandon Miller's runner in the lane with 6.2 seconds to go gave the Butler Bulldogs a 47-46 upset victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, AL. Things started well for Butler, jumping out to an early 12-3 lead. But MSU fought back, and Butler would eventually take a 28-25 halftime lead. MSU held the lead for a large portion of the second half, but Butler kept themselves within striking distance. Joel Cornette was able to tie the game at 42 with a basket at the 4:50 mark. Following an MSU basket, Mike Monserez buried a huge three-pointer, his only basket of the game, to give Butler a 45-44 lead. A pair of free throws from Ontario Harper gave the lead back to MSU. Butler committed a turnover, but MSU's Michal Ignerski missed a jumper, setting up Miller's heroics. No timeout was called as Miller patiently worked to set up his game-winning drive and shot. MSU's Timmy Bowers' three-pointer rimmed out, the buzzer sounded, and bedlam ensued.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Miller. I like it when our team makes this decision easy on me. Brandon led the Butler Bulldogs with 14 points and dished out four assists. And did I mention he hit the game-winning shot?

Duane Lightfoot, Jr. finished with 13 points and seven rebounds. Cornette added nine points and six rebounds. Darnell Archey finished with eight points and four rebounds, and Monserez added three points. MSU was led by Mario Austin's 18 points and 10 rebounds.

What a game! Butler brought out a zone defense, something seen only for a play or two at a time during the regular season, after starting in man-to-man and struggling to contain Austin underneath. The switch worked, and MSU was forced to rely on a perimeter attack. They eventually found their range, but Butler was able to stay within striking distance and never let MSU go on a run that seemed all but inevitable. My hat is off to the players and staff: you all have worked your tails off this season in the face of doubt and criticism from so-called "experts", but the results speak for themselves. Congratulations!

There won't be much time for Butler to celebrate, because the Louisville Cardinals are waiting in the wings (no pun intended). The Cardinals looked very impressive in their opening round win over Austin Peay, and their pressure defense will present the Bulldogs with a big challenge. Game time is Sunday, March 23, at 2:20 p.m. EST.

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