LIBERAL, Kan. – The Butler men have won their fifth game in a row to start the new year, eventually pulling away for a 99-88 win at Seward County on Saturday in the Green House.

Butler trailed by as many as seven points in the first half before Will Adler hit back-to-back 3-pointers to ignite an 11-0 run. Butler would lead by as many as five before Seward surged back, tying the game 43-43 with 54 seconds to play in the half.

LaJuan Hardy scored the final four points of the half and Butler led 47-43 at the break.

Butler never trailed in the second half and pushed the lead to double digits for the first time when Johnnathan Lindsey scored to make it a 59-49 game with 16:07 to play.

Butler would lead by double digits for much of the remainder of the game, leading by as many as 17 points and winning by 11.

LaJuan Hardy led Butler with 28 points, his third straight game with 26 or more. Hardy was one of four Grizzlies scoring in double-digits, as he hit 10 of 15 from the field. Will Adler added 17 points, hitting 5 of 6 three-pointers.LaDarrian Burney just missed a double-double as he scored 12 points and pulled down nine rebounds in the win, while Jacolby Harris scored 14.

For Seward, Kevin Sims led the Saints with 26 points.

Butler had a solid night shooting from the field, hitting 52 percent (33 of 64), while Seward made just 43 percent (29 of 68).

The Grizzlies (12-5 overall, 9-5 conference) will turn around and play at Colby on Monday in an 8:00 p.m. contest. Meanwhile, Seward (6-13 overall, 3-12 conference) dropped its fourth straight contest and have lost seven of its last eight games.