INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — In a game defined by a decisive second-half surge, the Connecticut Huskies methodically pulled away from the Butler Bulldogs for an 80-70 victory in a Big East Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at a sold-out Hinkle Fieldhouse.

The Huskies, improving to 23-2 overall and maintaining their grip on the conference lead, used a combination of efficient offense and stifling interior defense to turn a narrow three-point halftime lead into a comfortable double-digit win. The Bulldogs, who fought valiantly in front of 8,644 fans, fell to 13-12.

Connecticut guard Solo Ball led all scorers with 24 points, showcasing a sharp shooting touch from beyond the arc. His backcourt partner, Silas Demary Jr., orchestrated the offense with a double-double of 11 points and 10 assists. The most dominant force, however, was Connecticut’s interior duo. Forward Tarris Reed Jr. posted a powerful line of 16 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, while guard Braylon Mullins added 15 points, hitting key three-pointers.

Butler was led by 15 points from forward Drayton Jones and 14 points off the bench from center Yohan Traore. Guard Evan Haywood contributed 12 points, but the Bulldogs struggled to sustain offensive rhythm against Connecticut’s length and discipline.

The first half was a tightly contested affair featuring 10 lead changes. Butler’s defense, led by early blocks from Michael Ajayi, initially frustrated the Huskies. The Bulldogs built a 24-22 lead midway through the period behind the inside work of Jones and transition play. Connecticut responded with a flurry of three-pointers, including two from Mullins and one from Ball, to spark a 13-3 run and take a 35-27 advantage. Butler closed the half strong, with Jamie Kaiser converting a driving layup and a free throw in the final seconds to trim the deficit to 41-38 at the break.

The most important stretch of the game began early in the second half. Leading 43-42, Connecticut unleashed a game-defining 15-1 run over a four-minute span that broke the contest open. The surge was fueled by lockdown defense and clinical execution. Ball ignited it with a three-pointer, Reed scored on a hook shot and a dunk, and Ball struck again from deep. Demary capped the run with a three-pointer off a feed from Reed, pushing the Huskies’ lead to 58-43 with 15:50 remaining.

Butler never recovered. The Bulldogs managed to cut the deficit to 11 points on several occasions, but each time Connecticut had an answer, usually from Ball or a connection between Demary and Reed. The Huskies’ offensive rating of 128.5 points per 100 possessions underscored their efficiency, as they shot 50.8% from the field and a blistering 41.9% from three-point range. Defensively, they held Butler to 111.8 points per 100 possessions and used their size to record seven blocks, altering countless other attempts.

Connecticut’s ability to control the glass, particularly on the offensive end with nine rebounds leading to 12 second-chance points, and their careful ball security with only eight turnovers, allowed them to steadily drain the clock and the Bulldogs’ hope of a comeback in the final minutes. Butler’s final push, which brought them within 70-67 after a Haywood three-pointer with 1:05 left, was immediately extinguished by a Demary layup and clutch free throws from Ball to seal the outcome.

The victory extends Connecticut’s winning streak to three games following a road loss to St. John’s last week. Butler has now lost three of its last four. According to the Interstat ELO system, Connecticut entered with a 92.2% probability to win, and the total score of 150 points went over the betting over/under line of 144.5.

Connecticut next hosts Georgetown on Saturday. Butler will look to rebound at home against Seton Hall on Sunday.