BUTLER TWP — You can't score if you can't get off a shot.

Just ask McDowell.

The Trojans managed only one field goal attempt in the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter — three for the entire period — in suffering a 39-29 boys basketball loss to Butler Wednesday night.

The Golden Tornado (6-0, 2-0) trailed 26-25 entering the final quarter. McDowell (3-2) didn't score in the fourth period until Dejon Young sank two free throws with 29.8 seconds left.

"Nine turnovers in the fourth quarter," Trojans coach Kraig Hetz muttered. "We were very careless against their half-court zone trap. That's been a weakness of ours, handling the ball in pressure situations."

The strength of Butler's 1-3-1 zone was senior Eli Christy, who plays the top of it.

"My job out there is to wreak havoc out high, force turnovers and mistakes, give the point guard and shooting guard fits," Christy said. "I love it.

"Whatever role I can serve, offensively, defensively, I'll do it. I just want to help this team win."

After playing only sparingly in Butler's first few games, Christy saw increased minutes in the Tornado's last two games. He played nearly the entire fourth quarter Wednesday.

"Eli Christy was the MVP of this game, hands down," Butler coach Matt Clement said. "Hisdefense tonight was phenomenal.

"There's a kid who hasn't played basketball since ninth grade. He's had a rough senior year so far, seeing his football season end early with a freak injury. Tonight was his night. I pulled him out of the game early just so the crowd could show its appreciation for his efforts."

There were five lead changes and the game was tied twice in the first three periods. McDowell never led by more than three points all night.

The sixth and final lead change came courtesy of Vinny Schmidt, whose layup with 7:34 remaining gave the Tornado a 27-26 lead.

Layups on successive possessions by Nate Snodgrass, Logan Renwick and Bobby Swartwout hiked Butler's advantage to 36-26 with 1:15 left and sealed the verdict.

"McDowell plays a very physical man-to-man defense and we knew this was going to be a battle of wills tonight," Clement said. "I've got 10 guys who I'll put on the floor at any time.

"We can wear teams down in the fourth quarter with our defense. That may not win us every game, but it can give us a chance to win every game."

Swartwout paced Butler with 11 points and five rebounds. McDowell had 20 turnovers to the Tornado's 11.

Mychal Molnar had seven rebounds and Zach Mayr six caroms for McDowell. No Trojan scored more than seven points.

"We went over what they were doing (defensively) at halftime," Heck said. "They played well, but I think our problems offensively were more us than them."

McDowell scored only 24 points against Erie East in its other loss this season.

Butler has outscored its last three opponents by a combined 51-26 in the fourth quarter. The Tornado canned 50 of 63 free throws in those three games as well.

"I got tired of sitting in the stands watching my buddies play basketball," Christy said. "I played ball with those guys since third grade. It was time for me to get back on the court and do what I can to help.

"This team has heart. I'mproud to be part of it."

Clement was proud to be a part of another win.

"These kids are believing right now," he said. "Nobody's complained about playing time yet. They're just working hard to win games.

"Seeing Eli Christy have a game like this ... That kind of stuff pumps me up."

Butler's junior varsity improved to 6-0 as well, posting a 46-36 victory behind Cody West's 18 points.

The Golden Tornado resume action in their Christmas Tournament Tuesday night.

McDOWELL 29Colin Kimball 2-7 1-1 5, Zach Mayr 2-4 0-0 4, Bobby Roach 0-2 0-0 0, Mike Connor 3-6 1-1 7, Greg Carmon 0-00-0 0, Dejon Young 2-4 3-4 7, Mychal Molnar 3-7 0-0 6, Andy Milloy 0-0 0-0 0.

Totals: 12-30 5-6 29.

BUTLER 39Cole Harvey 0-0 0-0 0, Nate Snodgrass 3-8 2-2 8, Eli Christy 1-1 0-0 2, Logan Renwick 1-4 3-4 5, Brian Jendesky 1-4 1-2 3, Cody Herald 1-4 0-0 2, Jeff Tompkins 0-0 0-0 0, Vinny Schmidt 2-5 4-5 8, Bobby Swartwout 4-6 3-5 11, Bill Smith 0-0 0-0 0, David Tompkins 0-0 0-0 0.

Totals: 13-32 13-19 39.

McDowell 7 7 12 3—29Butler 8 11 6 14—393-point goals: None.

Junior varsity: Butler, 46-36 (B: CodyWest 18, David Tompkins 12; M: Greg Garmon 14)

Tuesday: Butler Christmas Tournament: Knoch vs. Jeannette, 6 p.m.; Butler vs. Summit Academy, 7:30 p.m.