EL DORADO, Kan. – After a two-year hiatus, the Butler men are back in the Region VI quarterfinals after knocking off Neosho County by a 90-67 score in a first-round playoff game at the Power Plant on Saturday.

Butler won the Region VI championship in 2010, but lost a first-round game in 2011 on the road and missed the playoffs a season ago. This year, though, the Grizzlies earned a first-round home playoff game and took advantage, wearing down the Panthers in the second half.

As a result, the Grizzlies (24-7) will now advance to play at No. 2 Coffeyville (30-1) in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Saturday's first-round game finished with a lopsided score, but it was competitive throughout the first half with several lead chances. Neosho's biggest lead was 19-14, but the Grizzlies went on a 7-0 run to regain the lead. The Panthers briefly took the lead back, but the Grizzlies went ahead for good on a 3-pointer by Sean Osler with 8:15 left in the first half that made the score 26-24.

Butler would stretch the lead to nine points at the half, with a 48-39 lead. The Grizzlies then scored the first four points of the second half on a pair of baskets by Sean Goodwin.

Neosho would make a push, getting within eight points with 13 minutes to play. But Larry Fitzgerald knocked down a 3-pointer to put Butler back up by 11 and Neosho would get no closer the rest of the way. Butler eventually led by as many as 26 down the stretch.

Butler had five players in double figures in scoring. Bakari Triggs and Sean Goodwin scored 16 points apiece, while Shomari Triggs had 14 points on the strength of 10-10 shooting from the free throw line. Larry Fitzgerald had 11 points and Sean Osler scored 10 for the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies will now get a chance to avenge an earlier 87-85 at Coffeyville in November on a late 3-point shot by the Red Ravens. The only team to beat Butler twice this season was Jayhawk West champion Seward County. Four other times, the Grizzlies were able to avenge an earlier loss when the teams met a second time (Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa, Hutchinson, Barton and Dodge City).