Butler was 9-for-20 from 3-point range, but Howard's work inside was the difference. He scored seven points during the deciding run and was 6-of-10 from the field for the game.

Mike Green added 15 points for the Bulldogs.

J.R. Blount scored 16 points for Loyola (5-10, 1-4), while Andy Polka had 14 points and eight rebounds. The Ramblers fell five games under .500 for the first time since 2004-05, when they lost 16 of their first 23 and finished 13-17 in coach Jim Whetsell's first season.

The Ramblers pulled within 40-37 after Tracy Robinson stole an inbounds pass and broke the other way for a layup with 10:23 left. But Howard tipped in A.J. Graves' missed layup, got fouled and completed the three-point play to ignite the deciding run. He added a layup and two more free throws, and Zach Hahn's 3-pointer made it 54-40 with 6:24 left.

The Bulldogs hit 12 of 25 shots in the second half and were 22-of-48 overall. They also made 13 of 17 free throws.

It was just what Butler needed after a rather sluggish 73-65 win over Valparaiso on Saturday, even if Loyola put up a fight. Butler started the game on a 14-2 run, and although the blowout never developed, the Bulldogs showed enough poise in the latter stages to pull away.

Then again, these teams have a history of close games.

The Ramblers, who won 21 games last season, gave Butler all it could handle in their three meetings. Loyola won one game by four points and lost twice in overtime, including the Horizon League tournament semifinals. Blake Schilb averaged 28 points in those games but he's gone and Loyola has struggled.