WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS (WVDN)- The Butler Bulldogs took their plane to Greenbrier Valley Airport last week, drove to White Sulphur Springs, won two basketball games in three days, and headed back to the state of Indiana as Greenbrier Tipoff Champions.
Butler beat South Carolina 79-72 on Friday in the very first game of the tourney and did so in convincing fashion, though the score was close at the end.
Finley Bizjack led four double-figure scorers with 18 points and went 3-for-5 from 3-point range. Michael Ajayi had 15 points and 14 rebounds while Jamie Keiser, Jr. had 14 points and seven boards, and Jalen Jackson added 10 points and five rebounds.
In Sunday’s game, the Bulldogs disposed of the Virginia Cavaliers and like against the Gamecocks, did so in impressive fashion, 80-73.
Bizjack led the way again with 25 points and Ajayi had another double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Ajayi has double-doubles in all six games so far this season (5-1). Butler shot 48 percent from the field.
Caitlin Clark, the WNBA star of the Indiana Fever attended both games at America’s Resort. Her boyfriend, Connor McCaffrey, is an assistant coach for Butler. Connor’s dad, Fran, was also in attendance. He is the longtime coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes men’s team but resigned several months ago.
The tournament drew a big crowd again and by all accounts, the spectators that traveled to Greenbrier County had a great time. Next year’s Greenbrier Tipoff will be around the same time as the tournament looks to continue to grow every year.
Northwestern also participated in this year’s verison.
