INDIANAPOLIS — Jahmyl Telfort showcased an impressive performance as he scored 17 of his total 19 points during the second half, playing a pivotal role in Butler’s victory over SMU with a final score of 81-70 on Friday night. This win handed the Mustangs their first defeat of the season.
Telfort struggled in the first half, making only 1 of 7 attempts from the field, but turned it around significantly, connecting on 5 of 9 in the second half, including two successful three-point shots. He also contributed with six rebounds and five assists for the Bulldogs, who improved their record to 3-1 while competing in their fourth consecutive home game.
Butler received additional support from Kolby King and Pierre Brooks, both scoring 14 points. King was particularly effective off the bench, making 5 of his 6 shots, with a perfect record of 4 for 4 from beyond the arc. Finley Bizjack also had a solid outing, finishing with 12 points—going 8 for 8 on free throws—and grabbing six rebounds.
On the other side, Chuck Harris was the standout player for the Mustangs, coming off the bench to lead the team with 21 points, aided by four three-pointers. Boopie Miller also contributed with 17 points, along with four rebounds and four assists.
The first half ended with Butler holding a slight 36-33 advantage, and Patrick McCaffery was critical, scoring a significant portion of his 12 points from three-point range. Yohan Traore added nine points before halftime, while Harris kept SMU competitive by scoring eight points through two three-pointers.
As the second half began, Telfort initiated the scoring with a three-point play, helping Butler maintain a lead until Harris responded with a three-point play and a layup, part of a 7-0 run that saw SMU take a 50-48 lead with just over 13 minutes remaining. Telfort quickly countered with a layup and assisted Andre Screen on a three-point play, ensuring that Butler would retain the lead for the remainder of the game.
Butler now faces a week off before their next matchup against Merrimack on November 22. Meanwhile, SMU will return home for a game against Prairie View A&M on Monday.