Billikens’ defense sets tone early, enables upset over No. 9 Butler
ST. LOUIS – Jordair Jett matched his career high with 19 points, and Saint Louis recorded the program’s biggest upset in nearly a decade by defeating No. 9 Butler 75-58 on Thursday.
The Billikens (15-3, 4-2 Atlantic 10) forced the Bulldogs into a season-worst 23 turnovers and led by double digits most of the way before a sellout crowd of 10,612 at Chaifetz Arena.
“I absolutely loved the way (Saint Louis) moved the ball,” Butler coach Brad Stevens said. “It was an absolute joy to watch one team play. The problem was, it wasn’t the team I coached.”
Dwayne Evans added 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting and five rebounds for Saint Louis, which shot 50 percent. Jett was 8 of 12 with two 3-pointers.
Butler became Saint Louis’ biggest victim since the Billikens’ one-point upset of No. 2 Louisville on Feb. 12, 2003.
Rotnei Clarke scored 17 points to lead Butler (17-4, 4-2), but also had five turnovers. On the Bulldogs’ first 29 possessions, they had six baskets and 16 turnovers en route to a 34-23 halftime deficit.