No. 1 Indiana Loses to Butler, 88-86, in Overtime

Alex Barlow, a former walk-on who was averaging 1.5 points per game coming into today’s contest, is the unlikely hero for Butler as they defeated No. 1 Indiana on his shot with just under 3 seconds remaining in overtime.

Butler had foul trouble in overtime and looked to be in trouble once Indiana grabbed a lead. Consecutive three pointers by Rotnei Clarke and Chase Stigall gave Butler the lead before Cody Zeller scored, immediately before Barlow’s shot.

Butler appeared to be on their way to victory in regulation, but Yogi Ferrell’s 3-pointer with :06 left sent the game to overtime. Butler had opened up a 7-point lead with a little over four minutes left thanks to a 12-0 run, but Indiana finally realized Butler was in foul trouble, and began attacking the basket rather settling for jumpers. The Hoosiers went through a 10-minute stretch late in the game only scoring one basket.

Roosevelt Jones was outstanding for Butler, scoring 16 points, collecting 12 rebounds and handing out seven assists before fouling out with 2:03 left. Butler also lost 7-footer Andrew Smith – 12 points, nine rebounds – to fouls with 1:46 left.

Indiana star Cody Zeller was fouled early and often, and ended up with 10 of his 18 points coming from the free throw line.