INDIANAPOLIS | Wright State went with a 2-3 zone early against Butler in Tuesday's Horizon League tournament championship game.
Then the Raiders tried playing the host Bulldogs man-to-man.
It didn't seem to matter which defensive style the Raiders played.
The top-seeded Bulldogs showed why they've won 20 straight games -- the longest streak in the nation this year -- in their 70-45 decimation of No. 2 Wright State on Tuesday at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Butler (28-4) heads into the NCAA tournament as the only Division I team to finish its conference season undefeated.
"Against that zone, we hit some deep ones in the first half," Butler coach Brad Stevens said. "And defensively, I thought our perimeter defense was really good."
The Bulldogs hounded the Raiders defensively, holding Wright State (20-12) to a season-low point total.
"They were there on us like glue," Wright State guard Vaughn Duggins said. "It was frustrating."
Wright State, which knocked down 12-of-23 3-pointers in its 69-50 win over Detroit in Saturday's semifinal -- managed to make just 2-of-20 on Tuesday.
Butler, meanwhile, hit 14 of its 21 first-half shot attempts, including 8-of-13 from 3-point range, in jumping out to what proved to be a 42-28 halftime lead.
"We tried (something) different and went to some zone early, which we haven't done a lot against them," Wright State coach Brad Brownell said. "They haven't always handled it well. (Tuesday) they did."
Wright State 6-foot-9 senior forward Ronnie Thomas, coming off a career-high 18 points against Detroit, fouled out with only points against Butler.
Bulldogs sophomore guard Shelvin Mack was red-hot early, scoring all 14 of his points in the first half, including 4-of-6 from 3-point land. Junior forward Matt Howard matched Mack's game-high 14 points and added nine rebounds in being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
N'Gai Evans led Wright State with 13 points.
Wright State trailed just 27-21 with 5:31 left in the first half, before Butler closed the opening 20 minutes with a 15-7 run.
As well as the Bulldogs played in the first half, Howard thought they could have played better.
"We had a few turnovers," Howard said.
"Ten," Stevens quickly chimed in, drawing laughter from the media and Howard.
After losing three of their previous four championship appearances, the Bulldogs could afford to laugh.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Horizon League tournament
Championship game
No. 1 Butler 70, No. 2 Wright State 45
Tournament MVP Matt Howard had 14 points and nine rebounds in the victory at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
More inside
Butler, Wright State coaches both graduated from DePauw. PAGE B5
IUPUI loses to Oakland in Summit championship game. PAGE B5
IUPUI falls in Summit finals
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. | Derick Nelson scored a career-high 36 points and slow-starting Oakland, Mich., defeated IUPUI 76-64 in the Summit League championship game to advance to the NCAA tournament Tuesday night.
The Grizzlies (26-8) earned their second NCAA berth with their school-record 11th consecutive win. Their only other NCAA appearance was in 2005.
Alex Young led IUPUI (24-10) with 19 points, while Robert Glenn added 18 and Leroy Nobles 14. -- AP
