Butler Women Rout Tennessee Tech 108-71
Karson Martin scored 25 points as Butler opened its season with a lopsided win at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball
Butler women's basketball defeated Tennessee Tech 108-71 on Kids Day at Hinkle Fieldhouse in the season opener. Butler led 56-30 at halftime and out-rebounded the Golden Eagles 48-30.
Why it matters
The opener gives an early read on a Butler roster that shot 15-of-21 from the free-throw line and recorded 26 assists in a dominant offensive performance. The result sets an early benchmark for the team heading into its next home game.
Butler's 108-71 win was built on a 31-14 first-quarter lead and a 56-30 halftime margin, with Karson Martin scoring 25 points to lead all players. The source does not report injuries or minutes distribution, so the depth behind the starters remains unclear.
The players
Butler University
Butler University is a private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, whose athletic teams compete in the Big East Conference.
Karson Martin
Karson Martin is a Butler women's basketball player who led all scorers in the season opener.
The details
Butler scored 11 unanswered points in the first quarter after an early Tennessee Tech three-pointer and finished with 15 fast-break points and 17 points off 12 Tennessee Tech turnovers. Taya Ellis added 19 points and eight rebounds, and Saniya Jackson scored 18.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Butler defeats Tennessee Tech in the season opener.
November 5, 2026, 6:30 p.m.: Butler hosts Lipscomb.
Season Trajectory
The opener marks an early step for Butler's women's program as it begins a season with a home game against Lipscomb on November 5. A 37-point margin in the first game gives an early indicator of the team's offensive output relative to the rest of its schedule.
Butler's early lead and free-throw efficiency make the November 5 game against Lipscomb a near-term test of whether the offense holds up against a second opponent. Fans planning to attend can plan around the 6:30 p.m. tip on that date.
The takeaway
A large first-quarter lead and strong ball movement are early signs of a team that can control tempo against lower-rated opponents. Monitoring turnover margin and perimeter defense in the next few games will show whether the opener's pattern holds.
What happens next
Butler hosts Lipscomb at 6:30 p.m. on November 5, 2026.
Further reading
For more on Butler's season, see Basketball coverage from across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Butler Collegian.
