WASHINGTON – No. 14 Butler nearly blew a 17-point lead Saturday, going the last 7½ minutes without a field goal, before holding on for a 59-56 victory over George Washington.
The Colonials cut the lead to one in the final minute and had several 3-point attempts in the final 10 seconds that could have sent the game into overtime. Joe McDonald had the final chance, but he was stripped as he went up for the shot just before time expired.
Rotnei Clark scored 14 points and Roosevelt Jones had 12 for the Bulldogs (20-4, 7-2 Atlantic 10), who broke a two-game road losing streak during their inaugural tour of unfamiliar hostile environments in the school's first season in the Atlantic 10.
Isaiah Armwood had 14 points and 11 rebounds for George Washington (11-11, 5-4), which sold out the Smith Center for the first time since 2006 and was hosting its highest ranked opponent since 2000. The Colonials, who start four true freshmen, shot 28 percent.
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