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Butler looks to keep rolling at home

Feb 15, 2009 - 7:22 AM Loyola-Illinois (12-15) at No. 15 Butler (22-2), 2:00 p.m. EST

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Butler puts its unbeaten home record on the line when it hosts Loyola-Illinois on Sunday.

The 15th-ranked Bulldogs (22-2, 13-1 Horizon) have a two-game lead over Wisconsin-Green Bay (11-4) atop the conference standings as they close in on their third straight Horizon League title. There are four league games remaining.

Butler improved to 12-0 at home on Friday, posting an 80-61 victory over Illinois-Chicago. It was the third time this season that the Bulldogs scored 80 points in a game and first since December 10.

Matt Howard scored 19 points and freshman Gordon Hayward added 18 in the win, which was Butler's third straight overall.

Loyola-Illinois (12-15, 4-11) should not pose much of a threat as it comes in on a six-game losing streak - dropping all six contests by double digits. The Ramblers' most recent loss came on Friday at Valparaiso, where they fell 71-47.

Jordan Hicks scored 11 points in the loss, which dropped Loyola to 4-9 away from home.