Matt Howard and Gordon Hayward had double-doubles to lead No. 18 Butler past Cleveland State 70-59 on Saturday to extend the nation's longest winning streak to 15 games.
The Bulldogs (23-4, 16-0) tied the school record for consecutive wins set in 1999-2000 and matched the best start in Horizon League conference play set by Wisconsin-Green Bay in 1995-96. They also swept the season series from the Vikings (13-13, 9-5), who had beaten them in the conference tournament championship game last season.
Howard had 21 points and 13 rebounds; Hayward 19 points and 11 rebounds as they outrebounded the Vikings by themselves, 24-20.
D'Aundray Brown scored 14 points for Cleveland State, which had a six-game winning streak snapped and lost for the first time in 15 conference home games.
