Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
28-6
Butler
27-8
Bucknell Concludes Season with 68-56 Loss to Butler in NCAA Tournament
3/21/2013 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 21, 2013
Box Score | Photo Gallery 1 
| Photo Gallery 2 | BUY PHOTOS | Postgame Quotes/Notes
LEXINGTON, Ky. -Bucknell used a 19-2 second-half run to turn an 11-point deficit into a six-point lead midway through the second half, but sixth-seeded Butler went back on top with an 8-0 run of its own and held off the 11th-seeded Bison for a 68-56 victory Thursday afternoon at Rupp Arena in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Joe Willman scored a career-high 20 points on 10 of 16 shooting and Mike Muscalaadded nine points and 10 rebounds as Bucknell finished its 2012-13 campaign with a 28-6 record, setting the Bucknell and Patriot League marks for victories in a season.
Bucknell was making its sixth NCAA Tournament appearance and second in three years. Butler (27-8) advanced to the third round, where it will meet the winner of Thursday afternoon's second game at Rupp Arena, Marquette vs. Davidson.
Four Bulldogs scored in double figures with Rotnei Clarke leading the way with 17 points. Andrew Smith posted 14 points and 16 rebounds while also often playing solid defense on Muscala, who entered the game as the only player in the country averaging at least 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Bucknell trailed 21-14 at halftime as tough defense by both teams forced a combined 16-for-55 shooting in the opening 20 minutes. Butler extended its lead to 29-18 with 16:35 to play, but a three-point play by Muscala ignited the Bison comeback. A jumper by Willman and a 3-pointer in transition by Cameron Ayersforced a timeout by the Bulldogs.
It would be three more minutes before Bucknell would score again, but three more jumpers by Willman, a basket by Muscala and another 3-pointer by Ayers capped the run and made it 37-31 with just over 10 minutes left.
Butler answered with a run of its own as Kellen Dunham made a pair of free throws and then Smith and Clarke connected on 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions to retake the lead. Those were the first 3-pointers of the game for Butler, which averages nearly seven makes per contest.
After a timeout by Bucknell, Ryan Frazierscored on a runner across the lane and completed the three-point play to put the Bison back up 40-39, but that was their final lead as Butler outscored Bucknell by 13 points over the final eight minutes of play.
The Bison were still within striking distance (53-45) with just under two minutes to play when Clarke, who averages more than three 3-pointers made per game, hit an off-balance 3-pointer to extend the Bulldogs' advantage to double digits. Butler then converted 12 of 14 free throws down the stretch the seal the victory.
Willman was the main offensive weapon for Bucknell in the first half as well. He scored eight straight points for the Bison at one point. However, the Bison's lone lead was at 2-0 as the Butler defense forced a number of tough shots. Muscala was 1-for-9 in the first half and finished 4-for-17 from the field.
Bucknell's defense was strong as well, limiting Butler to 36.4 percent shooting for the game, well below its 45.3 percent for the season. The Bison shot 37.1 percent from the floor even with Willman's career-best 10-for-16 performance.
Steven Kasparposted a solid outing for Bucknell from his point guard position. The sophomore registered six points, six rebounds and six assists in a career-high 32 minutes.
Bucknell's senior class of Bryson Johnson, Colin Klebon, Mike Muscala and Joe Willmanconcluded their outstanding four-year careers with a program-record 92 victories. The group scored 38 points on Thursday and combined for 4,684 overall. Johnson added nine points, including a couple late 3-pointers. He is the Bucknell and Patriot League record-holder for made 3-pointers (323).
Muscala finished his career as Bucknell's all-time leading scorer (2,036). He also ranks among the Bison all-time leaders in career rebounds (2nd, 1,093) and blocks (2nd, 273). The two-time Patriot League Player of the Year came one point shy of registering his 23rd double-double of the season.
