Morehead State sophomore guard Djimon Henson scored a game-high 22 points in his hometown Tuesday night, but host Butler pulled away after a tight first half to hand the Eagle men's basketball squad a 85-69 defeat at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
The Eagles slipped to 4-7 with their final non-conference game of 2017-18.
"I was encouraged tonight," said head coach Preston Spradlin. "We cut down on our turnovers, and I thought our team continued to fight all night. We just didn't defend in the second half like we are capable of. Against a great team like Butler, we can't afford to take plays off."
Henson, who prepped at Indianapolis' Lawrence North High School, tied his career high with five three-pointers. The Eagles, who won despite 28 mistakes Sunday against Central Arkansas, committed just 12 turnovers tonight.
Butler opened the game on a 10-2 run, but a three-pointer by freshman Malek Green started a 7-2 flurry that kept the contest close. The Bulldogs led later 29-19 with 3:54 left in the first half, but Henson's third triple ignited a 9-0 run.
Freshman guard De'von Cooper hit one of two free throws to make it 29-29, and the Eagles ultimately trailed just 33-28 at the break.
The hosts began the second frame on a 16-5 scoring barrage to pull out 49-33 with 13:44 remaining. Butler shot 63 percent (20-of-32) in the final half to distance itself from MSU, outscoring the Eagles 52-41.
Morehead State drilled 10 three-pointers and shot 70 percent from the free throw line. Junior guard A.J. Hicks handed out a season-high seven assists.
Kelan Martin paced Butler with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The Eagles are off until Dec. 28 when they open Ohio Valley Conference play at Jacksonville State.
