INDIANAPOLIS -- Youngstown State improved to 2-0, while Syracuse and #16/18 Butler both dropped road contests to BIG EAST teams on Tuesday night.
Youngstown State (2-0) used a 9-0 run midway through the second half to break open a two-possession game en route to a 64-53 victory over Buffalo (1-1) at the Beeghly Center. Up 53-49, Ashen Ward spurred the run with five straight points to set the Penguins on their way to the win.
Ward finished with a career-best 13 points, while Damian Eargle corralled a career-high 14 boards and added three blocks. Devonte Maymon added 13, and Vytas Sulskis 10, as Youngstown moved to 2-0 for the first time since the 2004-05 campaign.
Detroit (0-2) controlled tempo throughout the first half, frustrating #10/11 Syracuse for the game's first 20 minutes, eventually taking a 28-25 lead into halftime at the Carrier Dome. However, Syracuse (3-0) went on a 17-4 run early in the second half, assuming control of the game and taking down the Titans, 66-55.
Eli Holman found space in the Orange's 2-3 zone, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds to post his second straight double-double. Jason Calliste was a zone-buster early in the game, knocking down three three-pointers, to add 16 points.
#16/18 Butler never found an offensive rhythm, struggling to match Louisville's early punch, eventually falling 88-73 as the Cardinals opened the KFC Yum! Center.
In his return to the Bluegrass State, Lexington, Ky.-native Shelvin Mack matched his career high with 25 points and Matt Howard had 23 after a foul-plagued first half, but Butler (1-1) allowed its most points since Jan. 2, 2002, when they allowed 90 in a two-overtime loss against Wright State.
Five Louisville players finished in double figures and the Cardinals raced out to an 11-2 lead and never looked back.
Tags: Butler - Men's Basketball · Detroit Mercy - Men's Basketball · Youngstown State - Men's Basketball
