There’s a lid on the bucket for the Butler Bulldogs in the second half and the Connecticut Huskies are taking advantage in the NCAA Championship Game. Butler has missed its last 12 shots while trying to find a way to break a UConn defense that’s been swarming. Both teams were already having a tough shooting night, but it’s gotten worse for Butler, who is now 7-41 from the floor, a 17.1 percent clip.
Even worse, six of those seven buckets have come from beyond the arc. A quick number crunch tells us Butler is just 1-19 from two-point range, which can only be considered dismal. UConn has dominated inside, altering shots and making it impossible for Butler to put up a decent shot, and the numbers reflect it.
Connecticut is marginally better, thanks in part to its 18 points in the paint. The Huskies are 13-39 from the field, an even 33.3 percent for the game. Jeremy Lamb is back on the floor and making a difference right away, helping spark a 14-1 UConn run.
Butler has to find a way to get clean looks in the second half if it has any aspirations of keeping this close. With just under 12 minutes to go, UConn holds a 33-28 lead in the NCAA Championship Game.
Stay tuned to our NCAA Championship Game StoryStream for updates on the game. For more, head over to SB Nation’s 2011 NCAA Tournament hub.