LILLINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — Dovydas Butka scored 26 points and Campbell used a dominant second-half surge to pull away from Drexel for an 81-60 victory in a Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball game Thursday night at John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center.

The Fightin’ Camels, who led by just three points at halftime, outscored the Dragons 42-24 after the break, capitalizing on a decisive edge in free throws and points off turnovers to improve to 11-13 overall. Drexel fell to 12-12.

The most important part of the game unfolded early in the second half, when Campbell transformed a narrow 39-36 halftime lead into a commanding double-digit advantage. The Fightin’ Camels opened the period on a 10-0 run, fueled by aggressive defense and efficient transition play. Muneer Newton and Butka each scored inside, and Jeremiah Johnson added a layup, forcing Drexel into a timeout just over two minutes into the half.

Campbell’s defensive pressure was the catalyst. The Fightin’ Camels recorded 13 steals, leading to 21 points off 17 Drexel turnovers. The Dragons, meanwhile, managed only 12 points off 11 Campbell turnovers. That disparity in converting mistakes into points proved a fundamental difference in the contest.

Butka, a 6-foot-9 junior from Panevezys, Lithuania, was the game’s standout performer. He shot 10 of 14 from the field and added six offensive rebounds as part of his game-high effort. His activity inside set the tone, especially during the critical second-half spurt. He was supported by backcourt mates Jeremiah Johnson, who had 19 points and three assists, and DJ Smith, who added 16 points and three assists.

Shane Blakeney led Drexel with 15 points, and Josh Reed contributed 14 off the bench. The Dragons shot a respectable 49% from the field but were undone by perimeter shooting and trips to the foul line. Drexel made only 3 of 15 attempts from three-point range and hit just 5 of 8 free throws. Campbell, by contrast, attempted 28 free throws, making 21.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair featuring 10 lead changes. Drexel started quickly, hitting three early three-pointers, two from Eli Beard and one from Blakeney, to build a small lead. Campbell responded behind Butka, who scored 12 first-half points, often on second-chance opportunities. The Fightin’ Camels took their first lead at 25-23 on a Butka layup with just over six minutes remaining and carried a 39-36 edge into the locker room after Smith beat the halftime buzzer with a driving layup.

Any momentum Drexel had quickly evaporated after halftime. Following Campbell’s 10-0 run to start the second half, the Dragons never got the deficit back to single digits. The Fightin’ Camels’ lead ballooned to as many as 23 points in the final minutes as they consistently attacked the paint and drew fouls, while their defense stifled Drexel’s offense. Campbell finished with 48 points in the paint and 18 fast-break points, showcasing their advantage in pace and pressure.

The victory moved Campbell to a 2-0 start in the second half of the CAA schedule. Drexel, which had won three of its last four games entering the contest, saw its hopes of climbing above .500 in conference play dashed.

Campbell next travels to face North Carolina A&T on Saturday. Drexel continues its road trip at Elon on Saturday.