ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. – A dominant first half by the sixth-ranked Cowley men doomed Butler in a 106-87 road loss Wednesday at W.S. Scott Auditorium.
Butler (16-6 overall, 9-4 conference) had momentum early by scoring the game's first eight points and taking a 10-2 lead just 3:56 into the contest, but Cowley quickly turned the tide with a 29-4 run and added a 17-1 run late in the half enroute to a 57-29 lead at the break.
In the opening half, Cowley drained eight 3-pointers while forcing 27 turnovers, which led to 37 points. During Cowley's 29-4 run, the Tigers made five treys – including three from Mike'l Henderson, who led all scorers with 31 points.
Cowley led by as many as 33 points after scoring the first five points of the second half, but Butler would not go away quietly. A Grizzly 19-7 run cut Cowley's lead down to 21 points with 12:04 remaining, then Grehlon Easter scored consecutive baskets just before the midway point of the half to pull Butler within 72-53.
Butler worked the margin down to 13 points with 4:59 remaining, as both Juwan White and Zach Butler converted 3-point plays – each getting fouled on a lay-in and hitting the bonus shot as the Grizzlies trailed 88-75.
Butler came no closer as Cowley's Henderson scored a basket, then snagged another bucket off a steal in an 11-second span, putting the Tigers up 92-75 with 4:21 left.
Cowley (20-3, 12-1) pushed the lead back to 20 under two minutes to play and cruised to the win. The victory gives the Tigers a comfortable three-game lead in the Jayhawk East standings with seven conference games remaining. Butler, Coffeyville and Independence are all tied at 9-4 for a three-way tie for second place.
Juwan White led Butler with 22 points, scoring 18 in the second half. Ndongo Ndaw added a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Shawn Hopkins and Zach Butler each finished with 14 in the loss.
For Cowley, Henderson made 11-of-18 shots – including 6-of-11 beyond the arc. Dalen Ridgnal added 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Marteveon Jones scored 21 points.
Butler returns to action Saturday with a key game against Coffeyville, marking the first time Butler head coach Kyle Fisher goes up against his coaching mentor, Jay Herkleman. Fisher was an assistant on the Coffeyville staff for seven seasons, including an NJCAA Final Four appearance last season. The Ravens (17-6, 9-4) have won four straight and are coming off an 80-65 road win at Neosho County on Saturday.
