Valparaiso, IN (Betting Express) - Matt Howard had 16 points and Gordon Hayward provided 15 points and 13 rebounds as the 25th-ranked Butler Bulldogs topped Valparaiso, 75-62, in Horizon League action.

Willie Veasley also scored 15 and Shelvin Mack had 14 points for Butler (12-1, 3-0 Horizon), which opened the season with eight straight victories before dropping a three-point decision to then 21st-ranked Ohio State in Columbus December 13.

The Bulldogs found themselves in a dogfight come halftime with the score locked at 31 apiece but opened the second half with a 19-4 run that helped tip the balance in their favor.

Brandon McPherson tallied a game-high 22 points and Urule Igbavboa scored 17 to go along with seven rebounds for Valparaiso (4-10, 1-2), which has lost six of its last seven.

Howard sparked the Bulldogs out of the locker room with a three-point play and followed with a layup. Back-to-back three-pointers from Hayward extended the lead and Howard got to the hoop for two more as Butler suddenly owned an 11- point advantage, 44-33, just five minutes into the second half.

Igbavboa helped spark a 14-7 run with four straight points and capped it with a jumper to bring the Crusaders within eight with close to five minutes left.

A pair of Jake Diebler free throws made it a six-point affair, 59-53, moments later but Valpo got just one basket over the next 3:19 and Mack's jumper gave Butler a 68-55 lead with 1:45 to play.

The Bulldogs hit 7-of-8 from the line to seal the win from there.

Game Notes

The Bulldogs own a 63-32 series lead against the Crusaders, which includes six straight wins over their conference foes...The Bulldogs shot 56.5 percent from the field (13-for-23) in the second half compared to 38.5 percent (10- for-26) in the first half...The Crusaders hit at a 41.7 percent clip (10- for-24) in the first half but dropped to 37 percent (10-for-27) in the second half...Valpo hit just 7-of-22 three-point attempts while Butler connected on 10-of-29.