Junior Avery Sheets scored a career-high 26 points, including 7 of 7 on three-pointers, and Butler stretched a six-point halftime lead into a 79-51 victory over Loyola on Thursday night.
Sheets, the team’s third-leading scorer at 10.7 points a game, missed only one shot. He finished 7 of 8 from the field and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line.
“When [teammates] get it in your pocket every time, it just kind of flows,” said Sheets, who shook off a bout with the flu. His previous high game was 25 points against St. Louis last season.
J. Graves added 16 points, including 4 of 4 free throws, for Butler (9-11, 4-6 Horizon League).
Brandon Polk scored 14 and Bruce Horan added 11.
DaJuan Gouard led Loyola (6-15, 4-7) with 17. Blake Schilb added 11, and Tyrelle Blair had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Bulldogs led 37-31 at the break. Loyola’s last lead came less than a minute into the game at 5-2.
Butler took the lead for good at 14-11 with 15 minutes 40 seconds left in the half.
“We’re becoming a better defensive team,” Butler coach Todd Lickliter said.
