Butler moves on to face Marquette

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WISH) - March Madness was in full swing Thursday, and Butler is doing what they do best: surviving. The Bulldogs held off a surging Bucknell to win 68-56.

“I’m proud of the way that they stuck together,” said Butler head coach Brad Stevens. “I’m proud of the way they played.”

“We knew that they were going to make a run. They’re a great team,” said senior center Andrew Smith. “We were prepared for something like that, and fortunately, we were able to fight back.”

• PHOTOS | Butler's 2012-2013 season

The Bulldogs’ defense was stifling in the first half, holding the Bison to just 14 points and their star Mike Muscala to just nine all game.

Coach Stevens afterwards applauded the resolve in his team. 

“They have some mettle,” said Stevens. “They have some fortitude that is built up over time, but also a big core of our program. But it is truly a Butler team, which I feel really good about.”

The team now moves on to face Marquette in the round of 32. That sets up a rematch of a wild Maui Classic finish in which Butler beat Marquette at the buzzer.

Both teams get back to work tomorrow at Rupp Arena. Butler will hold a closed practice at noon.