DAVIDSON, N.C., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Gordon Hayward's 27 points and nine rebounds Saturday sparked No. 22 Butler's 75-63 win over unseeded Davidson.
Butler used its stingy defense to pull away from a 34-29 halftime lead.
Also, Stephon Curry, the nation's leading scorer, was held to 6-for-23 shooting. His 3-pointer kept Davidson within 34-32 with 19:45 remaining, but Hayward's three started a 10-0 Butler spurt.
Ronald Nored's driving layup made it 54-39 with 12:59 left, and Davidson never threatened the rest of the way.
Matt Howard scored 12 with five rebounds and three assists. Willie Veasley scored 10 with seven rebounds and three steals, while Shelvin Mack added nine points, six rebounds and four assists for the Bulldogs (23-4), who stopped their two-game skid.
Curry led Davidson with 20 points, five rebounds and six assists, but also had seven of his team's 19 turnovers.
Andrew Lovedale scored 15 with seven rebounds, while Will Archambault added 11 points with five rebounds for the Wildcats (22-6), who suffered their second straight loss.
