Northwestern Wildcats at Butler Bulldogs
· Indy Classic
Ajayi's double-double helps Butler edge Northwestern 61-58
Butler (9-3) overcame a tough shooting performance by controlling second chances, finishing with a 41-35 rebounding edge. The Bulldogs set the tone early, outrebounding Northwestern 23-14 in the first half and scoring 10 second-chance points to the Wildcats’ zero.
Northwestern (7-5) trailed 29-23 at the break and never led after halftime, though the Wildcats repeatedly cut into the margin.
The Wildcats made their final push in the closing minute. Tre Singleton’s jumper with 31 seconds left pulled Northwestern within one, but Ajayi answered on the next possession with a layup off a pass from Drayton Jones to restore a three-point cushion.
After Northwestern came up empty on its next trip, Butler closed it out at the line. Evan Haywood made two free throws with 19 seconds remaining, and the Wildcats missed two 3-point attempts in the final 12 seconds.
Jayden Reid led Northwestern with 14 points and six assists. Angelo Ciaravino added 12 points, scoring six in the final 10 minutes. The Wildcats struggled from long range, shooting 4 of 23 from 3-point distance.
Butler shot 38% from the field and 7 of 30 from beyond the arc but leaned on rebounding and defense to secure the win.
Northwestern has 10 days off before facing Howard on Dec. 30.
How can I watch Northwestern vs. Butler?
Recent Plays
| 2nd 0:00 | End of Game | 58 - 61 |
| 2nd 0:00 | End of 2nd half | 58 - 61 |
| 2nd 0:00 | Northwestern Deadball Team Rebound. | 58 - 61 |
| 2nd 0:02 | Jayden Reid misses 29-foot three point pullup jump shot | 58 - 61 |
| 2nd 0:04 | Jayden Reid Defensive Rebound. | 58 - 61 |
Statistics
 NU |
 BUT |
|
|---|---|---|
| 23-64 | FG | 22-58 |
| 36 | Field Goal % | 38 |
| 4-23 | 3PT | 7-30 |
| 17 | Three Point % | 23 |
| 8-9 | FT | 10-14 |
| 89 | Free Throw % | 71 |
| 35 | Rebounds | 41 |
| 9 | Offensive Rebounds | 13 |
| 26 | Defensive Rebounds | 28 |
| 18 | Assists | 12 |
| 3 | Steals | 7 |
| 4 | Blocks | 4 |
| 9 | Turnovers | 14 |
| 1 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 9 | Total Turnovers | 14 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 13 | Points Off Turnovers | 5 |
| 10 | Fast Break Points | 8 |
| 30 | Points in Paint | 28 |
| 16 | Fouls | 11 |
| 2 | Largest Lead | 11 |
| 5 | Lead Changes | 5 |
| 4 | Percent Led | 85 |
Game Information
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 16,912 | Capacity:
2025-26 Big Ten Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 9-0 | - | 20-0 |
| Michigan | 8-1 | 1 | 18-1 |
| Michigan State | 8-1 | 1 | 18-2 |
| Illinois | 8-1 | 1 | 17-3 |
| Purdue | 7-2 | 2 | 17-3 |
| Wisconsin | 6-3 | 3 | 14-6 |
| UCLA | 6-3 | 3 | 14-6 |
| Ohio State | 5-4 | 4 | 13-6 |
| Iowa | 4-4 | 4.5 | 14-5 |
| USC | 4-5 | 5 | 15-5 |
| Indiana | 4-5 | 5 | 13-7 |
| Washington | 3-6 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Minnesota | 3-6 | 6 | 10-10 |
| Rutgers | 2-7 | 7 | 9-11 |
| Northwestern | 1-8 | 8 | 9-11 |
| Oregon | 1-8 | 8 | 8-12 |
| Maryland | 1-8 | 8 | 8-12 |
| Penn State | 0-8 | 8.5 | 9-10 |
2025-26 Big East Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| UConn | 9-0 | - | 19-1 |
| St. John's | 8-1 | 1 | 15-5 |
| Villanova | 6-3 | 3 | 15-5 |
| Creighton | 6-3 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Seton Hall | 4-5 | 5 | 14-6 |
| Butler | 4-5 | 5 | 13-7 |
| DePaul | 4-5 | 5 | 12-8 |
| Xavier | 3-6 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Georgetown | 2-7 | 7 | 10-10 |
| Providence | 2-7 | 7 | 9-11 |
| Marquette | 2-8 | 7.5 | 7-14 |