Butler 72, Ill.-Chicago 65

Published Feb. 7, 2011 10:14 p.m. ET

foxsports

Shelvin Mack scored 17 points and Butler beat Illinois-Chicago for the ninth straight time, 72-65 Monday night.

Khyle Marshall added 11 points, and Zach Hahn and Ronald Nored each had 10 for the Bulldogs (16-9, 8-5 Horizon).

Robo Kreps scored 22 points to reach 1,500 for his career, and Paul Carter finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds the Flames (6-19, 1-12).

After 13 lead changes and five ties in the first 34 minutes, Butler pulled away with a 15-4 run to go up 59-46 with 7:42 remaining. Illinois-Chicago cut the deficit to 62-58 with 4:38 left but couldn't get any closer.

The first half included nine lead changes and four ties, and the Bulldogs went into halftime ahead 34-33.