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Butler looks to clinch tie for Horizon title

Feb 20, 2008 - 2:14 PM No. 8 Butler (24-2) at Illinois-Chicago (14-12) 8:00 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Butler can clinch at least a share of the Horizon League title for the second straight year on Saturday with a victory over Illinois-Chicago.

The eighth-ranked Bulldogs (24-2, 13-2 Horizon) have a two-game lead with three league games to play. Butler has won eight consecutive games, including Saturday's 51-46 victory over Cleveland State. The game is the final one of the season on the road for Butler, which faces No. 18 Drake on Saturday.

Senior guard Mike Green leads the Bulldogs with 15.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. The two teams met on January 26 with the Flames (14-12, 8-7) on the short end of a 73-57 decision.

Butler has won five of the last six games in the series, including the last two by a combined 42 points. UIC is 11-1 at home this season.

The Flames have dropped two in a row following a four-game winning streak, including a 52-51 loss to Wright State on Saturday. Junior guard Josh Mayo averages 18.1 points for UIC, which has won three of the last four home games against the Bulldogs.