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GAME NOTES: The 18th-ranked Butler Bulldogs have already clinched a fourth consecutive Horizon League title, and they will attempt to remain hot in tonight's clash with the Youngstown State Penguins.

The Bulldogs are a perfect 14-0 against conference foes and carry a 13-game win streak into this affair. On Monday, the Bulldogs disposed of Loyola- Chicago by a 62-47 final, and they are now 21-4 overall.

As for Youngstown State, it has suffered three consecutive defeats to fall to 8-15 overall and 2-11 in HL action. The most recent setback occurred on Saturday in a 74-68 final at Illinois-Chicago. Fortunately for the Penguins, they now return home where they are 6-5 to date, far better than their 2-10 road record.

Butler crushed Youngstown State by a 91-61 final last month, and the Bulldogs own a commanding 17-2 lead in the all-time series.

There are four double-digit scorers in the fold for Butler, and all four have started all 25 games. Gordon Hayward is netting 15.7 ppg, and he is pulling down 7.8 rpg as well. Shelvin Mack provides 14.1 ppg, and Matt Howard checks in with 11.5 ppg. As for Willie Veasley, who rounds out the double-digit scorers, he adds 10.1 ppg. The Bulldogs are generating 70.0 ppg while allowing 61.0 ppg to opponents. Strong defense was the key to victory against Loyola- Chicago last time out, as Butler held the Ramblers to 35.3 percent shooting from the field, including 2-of-15 from three-point range. A 38-29 rebounding advantage certainly helped the cause for the Bulldogs, as did a 16-of-18 effort from the foul line.

DeAndre Mays leads Youngstown State with 14.0 ppg, but the team is shooting a mere 35.0 percent from the floor. Sirlester Martin checks in with 11.3 ppg, while Vytas Sulskis provides 10.3 ppg. Kelvin Bright generates an even 10.0 ppg for the Penguins, who are averaging 67.6 ppg while giving up 69.7 ppg to foes. Mays poured in 22 points and dished out five assists against UIC on Saturday, and Sulskis contributed 21 points. Unfortunately, the Penguins made good on only 38.2 percent of their field goal attempts in that contest, including a 4-of-16 effort from three-point range. Also, 18 turnovers hurt the cause.

Expect Butler to start fast and finish strong, as the Bulldogs proved in the first meeting between these teams that they are far superior to the Penguins.