Jan. 25, 2007

CHICAGO (AP) -A. J. Graves hit three 3-pointers in overtime, including the go-ahead basket with 55.2 seconds to play, and No. 14 Butler beat Loyola of Chicago 70-66 Thursday night for its eighth win in nine games.

Graves scored 26 points to lead the Bulldogs (18-2, 6-1 Horizon League), and Pete Campbell added 12 - including 11 in the first half.

Blake Schlib, who put Loyola up 66-65 when he hit a 3-pointer with 2:53 to play in overtime, scored a game-high 27 points. Majak Kou added 14 points for the Ramblers (13-8, 4-4) and Leon Young scored 12 points in a reserve role.

With the shot clock dwindling and the game clock at 24.2 seconds, Schilb was fouled while hitting a leaning jumper in the lane to put Loyola up 59-57. He missed the free throw and Graves dribbled down the court and was fouled on a drive.

The Division I leader in free throw percentage calmly hit both free throws to tie the score at 59 with 13.3 seconds to play. Schilb's 18-foot jumper at the buzzer was errant and the teams went to overtime.

Mike Green converted a spinning layup and free throw for a three-point play to give Butler a 57-54 lead with 2:07 remaining in regulation. Schilb answered with a 3-pointer that bounced once before falling through to tie the score at 57 with 1:37 left.

There were six ties and nine lead changes in the first half. Butler achieved its biggest lead - 35-27 - when Graves hit consecutive shots, the second a 3-pointer with 1:45 left.

The third-longest single-season free throw streak in Division I history ended when Graves missed his first attempt of the night. The attempt, which came after being fouled on a 3-point shot, bounced softly twice before falling off the rim. He had made his previous 63 attempts.