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Howard, Campbell lead Butler past Loyola-Chicago

Jan 25, 2008 - 4:59 AM INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Butler's frontcourt and first-half run proved to be too much for Loyola-Chicago.

Freshman Matt Howard had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Pete Campbell scored 15 off the bench as the 14th-ranked Bulldogs posted a 63-50 victory over the Ramblers in Horizon League action on Thursday.

Mike Green chipped in 13 points for the Bulldogs, who matched the best 20-game start in school history set by last season's team.

On an off-shooting night for most of Butler's players, the forwards Howard and Campbell combined to make 11-of-18 shots. The rest of the Bulldogs were 10-of-28, including second-leading scorer A.J. Graves' 2-of-11 performance from the floor.

It was the third double-double of the season for Howard and the fourth straight game of at least 15 points for Campbell, who had averaged just 5.5 per game over his previous six.

Butler (18-2, 7-2 Horizon) opened up a close game early and kept a comfortable distance between itself and Loyola-Chicago for the majority of the contest.

Leading by one point midway through the first half, Butler went on a 15-2 run - keyed by a four-point play from Green - to take a 28-14 lead with 6:24 to play in the half.

The Bulldogs continued to lead by double digits for the rest of the half until J.R. Blount cut the Ramblers' deficit to 32-23 at intermission.

However, Loyola-Chicago (6-13, 2-7) could only get as close as seven during the second half after a three-point play from Blount cut the deficit to 48-41 with 8:16 remaining.

The Bulldogs then answered as Drew Streicher drilled a 3-pointer and, after Campbell's layup, they led, 56-43, with 3:25 left and maintained the double-digit advantage the rest of the way.

It was the eighth straight home win for the Bulldogs, who have won 18 of the last 19 home meetings with the Ramblers overall.

Blount had a game-high 16 points and Andy Polka added 13 and 10 rebounds for Loyola-Chicago, which shot 40 percent (19-of-48) from the field.