CINCINNATI – There is stealing one on the road. And then there is what the Butler Bulldogs did to Xavier on Sunday.
The 22nd-ranked Bulldogs repeatedly stole the ball during a late 11-1 run, and Kelan Martin scored 25 points in an 88-79 victory that ran their winning streak to four.
Butler (23-6, 12-5) shot 55 percent and secured the No. 2 seed in the Big East tournament. It was the fifth consecutive loss for Xavier (18-11, 8-8).
The Bulldogs also ended a streak of five straight losses at the Cintas Center.
• BOX SCORE: Butler 88, Xavier 79
Even in what has been a momentous 2000s for Butler basketball, this was one of the most consequential weeks.