LaVall Jordan’s Butler Bulldog squad defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 79-62 Friday afternoon in the East regional behind 27 points from senior guard Kelan Martin and 24 points from sophomore guard Kamar Baldwin.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a massive 21-2 lead with 13:42 left in the first half. Butler began the first half shooting an astounding 72% from the field with the Razorbacks were ice cold, beginning the game 1-10 from the field.
Mike Anderson’s team was able to battle back, and eventually took a 29-27 lead with 3:48 left after a C.J. Jones 3-pointer. The Bulldogs however went into the locker room leading 36-31.
In the second half, Butler controlled the pace, and pulled away. Kamar Baldwin was huge for the Bulldogs, as well as center Tyler Wideman.
Butler advances to face 2nd seeded Purdue on Sunday (time TBA). These two teams met earlier in the season during the Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis, with the Boilermakers defeating Bulldogs 82-67. Purdue is now playing without starting center Isaac Haas, after sustaining a fractured elbow in the latter minutes of their game versus Cal State Fullerton today.