BUTLER TWP — The shots weren't falling. The game wasn't moving.

Butler changed both items in the third quarter Tuesday night in rolling to a 56-38 Section 3-AAAA boys basketball victory over Seneca Valley.

The visiting Raiders (4-9, 0-6) trailed only 19-16 at halftime as the Golden Tornado managed just one trey in a half-court type of game.

“We don't normally shoot like that. We're one of the best shooting teams in the WPIAL,” Butler coach Matt Clement said. “We were having trouble rebounding the basketball and getting into transition. They (Raiders) have some big dudes in there and they can make it tough on you to get the ball and go.”

But in the second half, Butler got the ball and went.

The Tornado (10-4, 3-3) scored 30 of the first 38 points in the second half, exploding out to a 49-24 lead with 6:03 remaining.

Tyler Frederick had five of his nine rebounds in the third quarter and Seneca Valley coughed up seven of its 18 turnovers during the frame. Butler took a 40-21 lead into the fourth period.

“We turned the ball over and we shot the ball too quickly,” SV coach Victor Giannotta said. “We got out of our game.”

Joel Stutz canned three treys in the second half. He scored 16 of his game-high 20 points in the final two quarters.

“In the first half, we wanted to see what kind of defense they were in and we didn't push things as much,” Stutz said. “In the second half, our plan was to get the ball and go.

“I'm not surprised our outside shots started to fall. When we're running, getting to the hoop for some easy scores, you get into a rhythm offensively and everything opens up.”

Frederick's rebounding, coupled with Connor Ollio's five boards, helped fuel the offense as well.

“Tyler gets rid of the ball so quickly,” Clement said. “And Tyler and Connor ... Our big guys can run. They out-run the big guys on the other team almost all the time.”

Ollio had 14 points and three assists for the Tornado. Jace Stutz contributed 10 points, three assists and three rebounds.

No Seneca Valley player scored more than six points. Mark Smathers had seven rebounds, Payton Skalos four boards and three assists.

The Raiders — playing without injured starters Chris Hart and Jack Cook — have lost five straight.

“I loved the way we played defense. It was there all night,” Clement said.

“Butler has a good team. I can see them making the playoffs,” Giannotta said.

Tuesday's win pulled Butler to .500 through the first half of section play.

“Huge win,” Joel Stutz said. “We feel like we can beat anybody in our section. The previous losses and scores don't mean anything to us at this point.”

Clement said there is no dominant team in the section this season.

“Every game is winnable in this section, every game is losable, too,” Clement said. “But we know we can compete with every team the rest of the way and that's a good feeling.”

SENECA VALLEY 38

Jamir Carter 2-5 1-2 5, Nate Trzeciak 1-2 0-0 3, Payton Skalos 1-8 0-0 3, Jake Holl 0-2 0-0 0, Patrick Uher 2-3 1-2 6, Josh Balog 0-0 0-0 0, Justin Koken 2-6 0-0 5, Andrew Smathers 2-6 0-2 5, Marcus Might 2-4 0-2 5, Mark Smathers 3-5 0-2 6. Totals: 15-41 3-9 38.

BUTLER 56

Andrew Yonker 0-0 0-0 0, Jordan Bailey 0-0 0-0 0, Ian McCarrier 0-0 0-0 0, Jake Kradel 1-1 0-0 2, Damien Pickett 0-1 0-0 0, Kaden Rock 1-6 0-0 2, Luke Michalek 0-4 0-00, Kelley Kuharic 1-3 0-0 2, Jace Stutz 4-6 1-2 10, Jason Gray 0-0 0-0 0, Tyler Frederick 3-7 0-0 6, Connor Ollio 6-6 2-3 14, Joel Stutz 7-13 3-4 20, Phil Vandegrift 0-0 0-1 0. Totals: 23-47 6-9 56.

Seneca Valley 8 8 5 17 — 38

Butler11 8 21 16 — 56

3-point goals: Trzeciak, Skalos, Uher, Koken, A.Smathers; Ja.Stutz, Jo.Stutz 3

JV: Butler, 50-45 (SV: Clan Iaria 9, B: Andrew Yonker 13, Ian McCarrier 9)

Friday: Seneca Valley at Central Catholic, North Hills at Butler