WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS – Butler held a commanding 48-29 rebounding advantage in its win over South Carolina at the Greenbrier Tip-Off on Friday afternoon. Xavier erased a 14-point second half deficit but ultimately fell, 78-77, against Georgia at the Shriners Children Charleston Classic.
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Butler 79, South Carolina 72 – Box Score
The Bulldogs led wire-to-wire over the Gamecocks, jumping out to a double-digit lead early after a 10-0 run midway through the first half. Butler led by as many as 15 with 14 minutes to go. Finley Bizjack led four Butler players in double-digits with 18 points, while Michael Ajayi posted his fifth consecutive double-double, with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Butler’s 79 points was a season-low; its 92.4 points per game is good for 35th nationally.
Georgia 78, Xavier 77 – Box Score
Xavier powered back from 14 points down in the second half to take a 77-75 lead after a 3-pointer from All Wright with 1:38 to play. Georgia connected on the game winning shot from beyond the arc with 11 seconds to go. Tre Carroll posted his first double-double of the season, with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Wright and Jovan Milicevic each had 19.
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Three BIG EAST teams are in action today, beginning with 4-0 Georgetown hosting Wagner at noon. Marquette and Central Michigan play at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee at 2 p.m. ET, followed by Providence and Penn State in the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut at 4 p.m. ET.
ESPN+
Wagner at Georgetown – Noon ET – Watch
Jeremy Huber (pxp); Martin Bahar (analyst)
truTV
Central Michigan at Marquette – 2 p.m. ET
Brian Anderson (pxp); Grant Hill (analyst)
Providence vs. Penn State – 4 p.m. ET –
Brandon Gaudin (pxp); Robbie Hummel (analyst)