Butler Storms Back, Beats Coffeyville With Strong Second Period
(Content From Grizzlies Sports Information)
(Feb 7, 2022) – Coffeyville, KS – Kyle Fisher picked up his first win on the road against his former team, the Coffeyville Red Ravens, as the Butler Grizzlies picked up a crucial road win and sweeping the defending national champs. The 67-59 victory was just third time in the last 14 years the Grizzlies have ventured into Nellis Hall and walked away on the top end of the scoreboard.
Four Grizzlies scored in double digits, led by Jaden Okon with 18, and he was also one rebound short of a double-double. Treylon Payne was close behind with 14 in logging almost 39 minutes for the Grizzlies.
Butler had to bounce back in the second half after trailing by eight points in the first half. Butler scored 42 points in the second half (26 for CCC) and got several key stops down the stretch to secure the victory in a game that featured six lead changes.
The Grizzlies shot 43%, despite going only 4-14 from the three point line. Butler was boosted by making 15 of their 20 free throws, shooting 75% from the stripe. The Grizzlies got just nine points from their bench but the starters got the job done, as four of the five Butler starters reached double figures.
Defensively, the Grizzlies were impressive, holding the Ravens to 36% from the field and forcing 13 turnovers. The Grizzlies outrebounded the Ravens, 40-34, and scored 12 points off Ravens turnovers.
Love Bettis finished as the Ravens top point producer with 16, but was only 5-14 from the field. AJ McBride had 11. Deng Mayar and Blaise Keita each posted 8 rebounds.
It’s the first win at Nellis Hall for Butler over the Ravens since handing them a 82-73 defeat in 2017, which was also the last time the Grizzlies swept the Ravens during the regular season.
Butler is .500 on the road this season and have now picked up two huge consecutive road wins. Overall Butler improves to 17-6, and 11-6 in Jayhawk Conference play, as they continue to keep pace in the top half of the conference. The Grizz’ are in fourth, a half game behind Garden City, but two games up on over both Coffeyville and Colby.
With the loss, the Red Raven’s overall record falls to 12-11 on the season including a 9-8 record in the Jayhawk Conferece. Coffeyville is currently sitting in sixth in the thirteen team conference.
BuCo looks to pick up their third straight road victory on Wednesday when they travel to Arley Bryant Gymnasium in Concordia to face the Cloud County Thunderbirds. Butler won the first meeting in El Dorado, 72-69, back in December.
