The Northwestern Wildcats (7-3) began its five-game homestand by losing their third straight game at Welsh-Ryan arena against the Butler University Bulldogs (7-2), 74-65 on Dec. 8.

Wildcats’ head coach Bill Carmody credited their loss to the lack of offense produced, during the second half. While the Bulldogs shot 48 percent for the game, Northwestern’s offense was held to a much lower 32 percent shooting from the field.

Jared Swopshire and Drew Crawford made one field on 14 attempts combined, while only scoring nine points. The two averaged 10 and 14 points per game headed in the contest against the Bulldogs, respectively.

“I think the staff has to somehow figure out how we’re going to get [Crawford and Swopshire] into our offense,” Carmody said.

Th Wildcats were able to keep the game within distance for the first half of the game only trailing by three points headed into the second half, but the Bulldogs extended their advantage to nine points less than two minutes into the half, and took control for the rest of the game.

Andrew Smith’s double-double performance played a big part in the Bulldogs victory. He scored 24 points and recovered 10 rebounds, eight of them on the offensive end of the court.

“Andrew [Smith] was pretty forceful in going after the ball and I thought he played his best game of year, ” said Butler Head Coach Brad Stevens.

Carmody said Smith out strengthened and out hustled his center Alex Olah, and said the freshman could learn a few lessons from the way the Bulldogs’ center played.

Following their third loss of the season, all at home, the Wildcats will take a few days off to focus on their exams coming up. Northwestern will play their next four games at home, starting with Texas State University Bobcats on Dec. 17 at 6 pm.

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