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GAME NOTES: The 18th-ranked Butler Bulldogs have already clinched their fourth consecutive Horizon League title, and they carry a 14-game win streak into this afternoon's road clash with the Cleveland State Vikings.

Butler is coming off a 68-57 triumph over Youngstown State on Thursday, and the current winning streak is the second longest in school history. The Bulldogs, who haven't lost since December 22nd, are 22-4 overall, and they carry a 10-1 mark in true road games into today's tilt.

Cleveland State has won its last six games to move to 9-4 in HL action, impressive considering that the season appeared to be headed for mediocrity before the turnaround. The Vikings, who are 13-12 overall, including 10-3 at home, bested Valparaiso on Thursday in an 80-71 final.

Back on January 14th, Butler beat Cleveland State in a 64-55 verdict, and the Bulldogs own a 26-7 advantage in the all-time series.

Gordon Hayward is scoring 15.7 ppg to go along with 7.8 rpg as the leader of the Bulldogs. Shelvin Mack provides 14.1 ppg, and Matt Howard checks in with 11.5 ppg. Rounding out a foursome of double-digit scorers with 10.1 ppg is Willie Veasley, and all four players mentioned have started all 25 games. Butler is generating 70.0 ppg while limiting opponents to 61.0 ppg. Against Youngstown State on Thursday, Butler connected on 56.1 percent of its field goal attempts, including an 8-of-16 effort from three-point range. A 31-20 rebounding advantage also helped the cause, and the Bulldogs were able to overcome 18 turnovers. Hayward exploded for 22 points and 17 rebounds from his guard position, and Howard chipped in 11 points.

Cleveland State is scoring 69.8 ppg this season while allowing 68.1 ppg to its opponents, and there are three double-digit scorers in the fold. Norris Cole provides 16.4 ppg, and he has dished out 100 assists to go along with 45 steals. Jeremy Montgomery provides 13.0 ppg on the strength of his 44.4 percent shooting from three-point range, and Trevon Harmon rounds out the trio with 11.4 ppg. The fact that the Vikings have been able to force 406 turnovers (16.2 per game) is certainly impressive. Cole tallied 22 points and seven assists for Cleveland State against Valparaiso, and Harmon added 17 points. Montgomery was effective as well, netting 15 points for the Vikings, who shot 50 percent from the field and only turned the ball over nine times. They also earned a 26-12 edge in points from the foul line.

All good things come to an end, and Butler's winning streak could very well be halted today. The Vikings are playing with a wealth of confidence and have the obvious advantage of playing at home.