BUTLER TWP — The carrot was seemingly dangling in front of Butler all night.

The Golden Tornado just couldn't catch it.

Despite never having the lead, Butler pulled within at least four points of Central Catholic three times — including 61-57 with 4:35 to play — before succumbing to an 81-63 Section 3-AAAA boys basketball loss Tuesday night.

“You can't give up 80 points to a team that plays defense like they do,” Butler coach Matt Clement said.

The Vikings (13-5, 9-3) didn't play offense too badly, either. Central sank 25 of 40 shots from the field — mostly lay-ups — for 63 percent and hit 26 of 31 free throws, including 10 of 11 in the fourth quarter. Central's win clinched at least a share of the section title.

“Execution was the key for us tonight,” Vikings coach Chuck Crummie said. “Butler did a good job of taking us out of our running game. We couldn't play at the pace we wanted to play.

“But we made plays in the half-court game we don't normally make. I was pleased with how well we played there.”

Clement described Central as being “smart and patient” with the ball.

“This was probably one of their hottest shooting nights of the season,” he said. “And in games they've won, their half-court play has been very good.”

Before pulling away late, Central's biggest lead of the night was 37-24 with a minute to play in the first half. The Vikings used a 10-1 run after Butler (14-6, 6-5) pulled within 27-23.

A Kaden Rock jumper and offensive rebound and stick-back by Tyler Frederick pulled Butler within 61-57 midway through the final quarter. A three-point play by Bobby Kiernan, a lay-up by Luke Nedrow and two lay-ups by Jonathan DeVito extended the margin to 70-61 with 2:09 remaining.

Kiernan delivered another three-point play at the 1:32 mark to up the count to 73-61 and ice the game. Central's final eight points came from the foul line.

“They came in here and matched our intensity,” Clement said. “We played hard, but they got us to rush too many shots.”

DeVito scored a career-high 22 points for the Vikings, adding four assists and four steals. Kiernan had 15 points and four assists, Nedrow 14 points and Matt Bilyak 13.

Frederick had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Tornado, Connor Ollio contributed 15 points and five boards, Rock 13 points. Luke Michalek had six assists.

“If you don't play hard against Butler, you're going to be in trouble,” Crummie said. “Anytime you can come into this place and win, it's big.”

Butler will reach the WPIAL playoffs with a win Friday at Seneca Valley or with a North Allegheny loss at North Hills.

“It's not like we haven't been in this position before,” Clement said. “We know we can play with anybody we're matched with in the playoffs. But we have to get in first.

“Our playoffs begin Friday night. We have to go after it right now.”

CENTRAL CATHOLIC 81

Luke Deasy 0-1 0-0 0, Bobby Kiernan 4-7 6-6 15, Steve Votodian 0-0 2-3 2, Andrew Derda 2-2 0-0 6, Oscar Marroquin 2-3 0-2 4, Luke Nedrow 4-7 6-7 14, Josh Revak 0-0 5-6 5, Jon DeVito 9-11 3-3 22, Matt Bilyak 4-8 4-4 13, Will Sproule 0-1 0-0 0 . Totals: 25-40 26-31 81.

BUTLER 63

Damien Pickett 0-0 0-0 0, Kaden Rock 5-13 0-0 13, Luke Michalek 3-8 0-0 9, Kelley Kuharic 2-4 0-0 5, Jace Stutz 0-1 0-0 0, Jason Gray 0-1 0-0 0, Tyler Frederick 6-10 3-4 15, Connor Ollio 4-6 7-10 15, Joel Stutz 2-8 1-2 6, Jefferson Ford 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-51 11-16 63.

Central Catholic 18 19 22 22 — 81

Butler11 18 22 12 — 63

3-point goals: Kiernan, Derda 2, DeVito, Bilyak; Rock 3, Michalek 3, Kuharic, Jo.Stutz

JV: Butler, 53-41 (CC: Justin Tarrant 11, B: Tarik Taoufik 16, Andrew Yonker 11)

Friday: Butler at Seneca Valley