Jackson-Davis, Franklin carry Indiana’s offense in 68-60 win over Butler

INDIANAPOLIS — Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 21 points, Armaan Franklin scored 20 and Indiana beat depleted Butler 68-60 on Saturday in a Crossroads Classic Challenge game.

Jackson-Davis’ dunk with 3:07 left gave Indiana a 66-51 lead.

Aljami Durham scored 11 points for the Hoosiers (5-2), and Race Thompson added 10. Indiana finished 25-for-47 (53%) shooting but missed nine of 20 from the foul line.

The Bulldogs (1-2) played just their third game of the season as the program only recently emerged from an extended hiatus due to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Butler transfer Bo Hodges was deemed academically ineligible, and guards Campbell Donovan and Aaron Thompson, along with forwards Christian David, Scooby Johnson, and Mike Parker were all out due to injury.

Butler put up a first-half fight despite having just seven players in uniform. Butler led 37-32 on 14-of-26 shooting (54%) along with five 3-pointers at halftime.

Fortunes, however, changed for Butler when it shot just 8 for 30 after intermission. Jair Bolden led Butler with 20 points, and JaKobe Coles, Bryce Golden and Myles Tate each scored 10.

As for the Hoosiers, along with North Carolina and Stanford, they’re among the only Power 5 teams to play at least five of their first seven non-conference, home games on an away or neutral court.