Butler Bulldogs at South Carolina Gamecocks

Michael Ajayi and Finley Bizjack lead Butler to 79-72 win over South Carolina

Jamie Kaiser Jr. added 14 points on 5-of-5 shooting and Jalen Jackson scored 10 points for Butler (4-1)

The Bulldogs never trailed and used a 10-0 run midway through the first half to take a 12-point lead with 7:17 left until halftime. Yame Butler stole a pass from Meechie Johnson, was fouled and hit two free throws before Ajayi blocked a shot that led to a fast-break layup by Kaiser to cap the spurt.

Johnson led South Carolina (4-1) with 24 points and Mike Sharavjamts and Eli Ellis added 13 points apiece.

Kobe Knox and Ellis sandwiched 3s around a layup by Sharavjamts to trim South Carolina's deficit to 56-52 midway through the second half. Drayton Jones answered with a dunk before Bizjack hit a 3-pointer that made it a nine-point lead and it was at least a two-possession game the rest of the way.

The Bulldogs shot 61% (14 of 23) in the second half and made 27 of 56 (48%) overall while they outscored South Carolina 42-32 in points in the paint. Butler outrebounded the Gamecocks 47-26, which included a 15-9 advantage on the offensive glass, and outscored them 23-10 in second-chance points.

It was the first-ever matchup between the programs.

How can I watch Butler vs. South Carolina?

• TV Channel: Butler at South Carolina 2021 College Basketball, week 3, is broadcasted on CBSSN.
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