No. 17 Butler overcomes poor shooting, ball-handling to get past New Orleans 57-44

Butler forward Khyle Marshall, right, shoots over New Orleans forward Eddie Denard during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (The Associated Press)

New Orleans forward Lovell Cook, front, blocks out Butler forward Khyle Marshall in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (The Associated Press)

Kellen Dunham scored 15 points and Khyle Marshall added 13, leading No. 17 Butler past New Orleans 57-44 on Saturday.

The Bulldogs (12-2) are 7-0 at home this season and will take a nine-game winning streak into their Atlantic 10 debut Tuesday night at Saint Joseph's.

The Privateers (3-10) were led by Lovell Cook with 11 points and Traddarius McPhearson with 10. But they have lost five straight, are 0-6 in true road games this season and have dropped 15 consecutive road games against Division I opponents.

Butler's sloppy play made this game closer than expected.

They trailed 9-7 midway through the first half and didn't take control until closing the first half on a 9-3 run to take a 24-18 lead.

The Bulldogs opened the second half on an 8-2 spurt to make it 32-20, and New Orleans couldn't get closer than eight points the rest of the way.