Schnitker's buzzer-beater '3' lifts ISU past Butler, 59-58

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (12-17-2005) – Tyson Schnitker’s three pointer at the buzzer lifted the Sycamores to a 59-58 win over Butler on Saturday (Dec. 17). Butler’s A.J. Graves missed a jump shot but Brandon Crone tipped in the rebound to give the Bulldogs a 58-56 lead with one second remaining.

Sophomore Gabriel Moore threw a 60 foot pass to Schnitker, who ran off a double screen and caught the ball at the top of the three-point arc. After catching Moore’s pass, he gathered himself, squared up to the basket and knocked down the shot as the horn sounded to give ISU its first win in Hinkle Fieldhouse since 1985. Schnitker finished with a career-high 20 points, all of which came in the second half.

Freshman Jeremiah Wise made a three-point shot from the right corner which gave the Trees an eleven-point advantage with 6:16 to play. ISU failed to score a field goal until Schnitker’s final shot. Butler chipped away at ISU’s lead and sliced the margin to two (56-54) after Crone hit a three-point shot.

Following a turnover by Moore, Graves drove into the paint and hit a fade-away jumper to tie the contest (56-56) with 53 seconds to play. Crone then stole the ball from Trent Wurtz on the ensuing possession, which set up Crone’s go-ahead basket.

David Moss scored seven points but grabbed a game-high nine rebounds and dished out a team-high four assists. Moore finished with 13 points, while Wurtz added eight points and eight rebounds.

Avery Sheets led Butler with 17 points, while Graves chipped in 14. Crone scored 13 points and added seven rebounds for the Bulldogs, who were held to just 35 percent shooting in the game. The Sycamores also enjoyed a 35-26 rebounding advantage in the win.

Butler falls to 5-4 on the season, while Indiana State moves to 6-0 for the first time since the 1978-79 season. ISU returns to action on Monday (Dec. 19) when the Sycamores host Campbell University. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. at Hulman Center. USA-365.com provides live Internet audio streaming with Brian Fritz providing the play-by-play and Jim Waugh the color commentary. The pre-game show starts at 5:45 p.m. (CST), with the tip-off set for 6:05 p.m., CST / 7:05 p.m., EST on www.USA-365.com.

Statistics