Game Recap: Butler Survives Missouri State Despite 19 Turnovers In “Ugly” Season Opener
INDIANAPOLIS — Instead of easing into their 2024-25 campaign, the Butler Bulldogs were instead given a terribly stressful pickle to get out of as they got the ball rolling against Missouri State on Monday.
Oddly enough, the last time Butler lost a home opening game at Hinkle Fieldhouse was in 1998 at the hands of Missouri State (then Southeast Missouri State).
It certainly appeared as if history might repeat itself as the Bulldogs committed 19 turnovers, but a stunning 29-point performance by Jahmyl Telfort and a few other factors are what kept the worst from happening as they beat the Bears 72-65.
"That was an ugly game," Telfort said. "I know we just had to win and we found it."
Butler jumped out to a 32-20 lead midway through the first half due to Telfort hitting the ground running scoring 10 of Butler's first 15 points. With the Dawgs on a 13-2 run at that juncture, they appeared poised to keep pouring it on and eventually run away with it as many might have expected.
That expectation turned to frustration throughout the last eight minutes of the half as the Bulldogs would shut down offensively for the most part committing eight of their 11 first-half turnovers in that time span.
"I've never seen our team turn the ball over like that before," said head coach Thad Matta. "Our decision-making was horrendous tonight. We weren't thinking. That's got to get corrected."
Missouri State was happy to take advantage of the gifts they were given. They would soon erase the 12-point Butler lead heading into the locker room down 39-36.
The struggles continued throughout the second half as it seemed the Bulldogs could not get out of their own way. The good news for them was that despite Missouri State taking 20 more shots than Butler for the whole game (67), they only made 25 of them for a dismal 32%. This allowed Butler to keep a razor-thin lead heading into the latter portion of the game despite turnover after turnover.
"Usually around the beginning of the year teams tend to turn the ball over," Telfort said. "We are still trying to find that synergy. we all have to do a better job taking care of the ball. But, I'm not too worried about it."
Ultimately, the game came down to free throws as at one point in the last five minutes Butler was up 68-62 on a 6-0 run on nothing by free throw shooting. Some timely three-pointers from Telfort and Augusto Cassia helped as well. Butler ended the night shooting 28 free throws making 21 of them and Missouri State played gassed in the final seconds unable to hit a shot from the field.
"I was very disappointed in the way we played tonight," Matta said. "I'm going to give Missouri State all the credit. They defended us. They were physical and we never adjusted. We can't beat ourselves. 19 turnovers is just unacceptable."
On top of Telfort's 29 points, Pierre Brooks added 13 of his own. Patrick McCaffery scored 11 points hitting 3-of-6 from behind the arc in his debut with the Bulldogs.
Now that Butler has been given a taste of stress right out of the gate this season, the Dawgs will have lots to clean up as they move on to face Austin Peay on Nov. 8.
"We're going to be fine," Telfort said.
