Butler earns statement win vs. Mississippi State, claims Arizona Tip-Off title

Butler played its best game of the season, relying on smothering perimeter defense and shooting the lights out from deep, earning an 87-77 win over Mississippi State and claiming the Arizona Tip-Off championship.

It’s Butler first in-season tournament title since 2019 Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City.

Jahmyl Telfort led Butler with 24 points. Pierre Brooks II added 22 points and nine rebounds.

Here are three takeaways from the resume-building win.

Jahmyl Telfort, Pierre Brooks II close out Mississippi State

Butler (6-1) led by as many as 11 points in the second half, but Mississippi State, No. 25 in the AP poll and unbeaten prior to Friday night didn’t go down easy. MSU (6-1) cut Butler’s lead to two with 6:22 left in the game. When Butler needed to respond to MSU’s run it turned to its two best players — Pierre Brooks II and Jahmyl Telfort.

The preseason second team All-Big East selections made all the necessary plays to hold off Mississippi State and seal the victory. The duo scored 11 of Butler’s final 17 points, often finding each other for baskets down the stretch.

Telfort is such a steady presence for the Dawgs. He’s never rattled, never out of control and the poise paid off for Butler. Brooks showed why he led Butler in scoring last season. He’s a deadly shooter from deep and has the strength to finish inside. Telfort and Brooks combined for 46 points, shooting an identical 8-for-15 from the field.

In Telfort and Brooks, Butler has two of the best players in the Big East. When they’re both playing well, expect Butler to hang with every team it faces.

3-ball, corner pocket

After a slow start, Butler found its rhythm from deep, unleashing a 3-point barrage on Mississippi State. Five of Butler’s final eight first-half field goals came from behind the arc. Butler shot 7-for-11 from 3 with five Bulldogs hitting a 3-pointer in the first half. Telfort and Kolby King each hit two.

Butler finished 12-for-22 (55%) from 3.

Butler had particular success driving into the paint and dishing to the corner and left wing for 3-point shots. King hit corner 3s on consecutive possessions in the first half. Brooks, Landon Moore and Telfort all hit triples from the same spot on the left wing. At one point in the first half, five of Butler’s six field goal came off 3-pointers.

Great shooting from behind the arc coupled with good shooting from the free throw line (19-for-27, 70%) is usually the recipe for a win.

Landon Moore has best game of the season

With Finley Bizjack taking over the point guard duties, and freshman Evan Haywood looking like a reliable option at guard, one had to wonder if Landon Moore would be squeezed out of the rotation. Against Mississippi State, Moore showed he’s still a capable role player, putting together his best game of the season.

Moore scored seven of his 13 points in the first half. Despite struggling with his shot all season, Moore looked confident from deep. He dished out two assists and most importantly, he committed just one turnover, something that has plagued him all season.

Moore added multiple strong finishes inside in the second half and shot a strong 6-for-7 from the free throw line. In Moore, King and Andre Screen, Butler has the depth to withstand off nights for any of its starters. Any of the three are capable of scoring double figures off the bench, and all of them have embraced their responsibilities on defense as well.