INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Matt Howard led the way with 25 points Thursday and No. 23 Butler clinched a share of the Horizon League title with a 78-57 decision over Youngstown State.
It is the third straight conference crown for the Bulldogs (24-4, 14-3 Horizon), who also got 14 points from Gordon Hayward and 12 from Willie Veasley.
Butler owns a one-game lead over Wisconsin-Green Bay with one game left in the regular season. The Bulldogs can grab the conference title by themselves with a win Saturday over Cleveland State.
Youngstown State was led by Sirlester Martin with 15 points. The Penguins (11-17, 7-10) had won five of their previous six games.
Butler owned a 38-28 advantage at halftime and took control early in the second period by scoring eight straight points.
