Pierre Brooks II capped his 22-point performance with a go-ahead driving lay-in with three seconds remaining to give Butler an 86-84 win over Utah in the opening game of the inaugural College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas.
With Monday's win, Butler advances to a Wednesday quarterfinal match-up against either George Washington or Boise State.
KEY STRETCH: The game featured six lead changes and two ties over the final four minutes. The final tie came at 84-84 following a Gabe Madsen three-pointer with 1:17 to play. The teams traded empty possessions leading to the game-winner from Brooks.
OF NOTE:
- Butler trailed by as many as 11 in the second half, but used a 10-0 run to tie the score at 62-62 with 10:17 remaining. That run extended to 19-5 as Butler took its largest lead at 73-67 (6:13 to play).
- Butler made a season-best 13 three-pointers, including four from Brooks.
- Brooks was one of four Bulldogs in double figures, joined by Finley Bizjack (16), Kolby King (12) and Screen (10).
- Brooks had a team-high nine rebounds and Screen added eight. Butler had a 40-37 rebounding advantage.
- Utah led 46-42 at halftime; it marked the first time this season that Butler overcame a halftime deficit (now 1-13).
- Butler is now 10-0 this season when scoring 80 or more points.
- Butler shot 48 percent from the field, while Utah shot 46 percent.
- Keanu Dawes led the Utes with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
- The Bulldogs played without leading scorer Jahmyl Telfort, who will not play in the College Basketball Crown.
- Monday featured the first Butler career start for freshman Evan Haywood.
