text:  On April 5 , 2010 , Butler and Duke faced off in what The New York Times called " the most eagerly awaited championship game in years " . Late in the first half , Duke went on an 8 – 0 run to take a 26 – 20 lead . Stevens called a timeout . With starters Matt Howard and Ronald <unk> on the bench in foul trouble , Stevens was forced to call on backup center Avery <unk> who came up big for Butler . <unk> scored 10 first half points , tying his season high . At half time , Duke 's lead stood at 33 – 32 . 
  