Kris Dunn struggled with foul trouble in the first half before flirting with another triple-double, Rodney Bullock scored a career-high 25 points and No. 12 Providence rallied to beat No. 9 Butler 81-73 in the Big East opener for both teams.

The junior guard and preseason favorite as conference player of the year had 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as he chased his second triple double of the month. The Friars (13-1) have won seven straight and are off to their best start in 27 years.

Ben Bentil added 19 points and made the 3 that broke a 47-43 lead with 13:48 left, a lead the Friars didn't give up the rest of the way.

Butler was led by Kelan Martin with 20 points and Roosevelt Jones, who had 19 points, six rebounds and four assists. The Bulldogs had won their previous eight.