NCAA Championship 2010: Duke Leads Butler at Half 33-32

Gordon Hayward #20 of the Butler Bulldogs drives on Brian Zoubek #55 and Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 5 in Indianapolis (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS—It was a half with nine lead changes and two ties, yet Butler managed to stay in the game despite shooting 34.2 percent in the first half, continuing their tournament shooting woes.

Their vaunted defense didn’t stop Duke either as the Blue Devils shot 50 percent and lead 33-32 at halftime.

The Bulldogs’ Matt Howard, who was a game-day decision due to the mild concussion he suffered in the semifinal game against Michigan State, started and scored the first point of the championship game from the free throw line.

Howard, who was still feeling the ill effects of his injury, proceeded to miss all four shots from the field despite being 3 of 4 from the line.

Duke wanted to utilize their size advantage early and went to 7'1 center Brian Zoubek often in order to establish their inside presence.

Zoubek ended the first half with 5 points and 5 rebounds.

Butler’s unlikely hero was reserve forward Avery Jukes, who led all scorers with 10 points. He shot 4 of 6 from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range after only making 11 3-pointers all year.

The Blue Devils who have shot 75.8 percent from the free throw line this season, missed five free throws, more than half of the nine they attempted.