Grizzlies hand Pirates fourth straight loss in 81-69 KJCCC East win

Butler completed the season sweep of the Independence Pirates Saturday night inside the Power Plant with an 81-69 win improving the Grizzlies to 13-4 overall and 11-4 in KJCCC play.

It was a 17-2 run midway through the first half that opened it up for the Grizzlies in the first half and they carried a 15-point lead into the half. Independence did outscore the Grizzlies in the second half with a number of those points coming late after the Grizzlies had let off the gas a little. Butler would make 16 free throws and shoot 50% from behind the arc in the second half to knock off the Pirates for the second time this season.

DeeJuan Pruitt led Butler with his third straight double-double and fifth of the season scoring 19 points off 8-10 shooting and 10 rebounds. Pruitt had six dunks in the game with three steals and one block. Keyon Thomas found his rhythm hitting three shots from behind the arc and going a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe to finish with 18 points which tied his season high. Shawn Hopkins chalked up 14 points to go along with his nine rebounds and five assists and Treylon Payne added in 14 with three steals.

Butler shot 53% from the floor and 39% from three getting back in their regular form after struggling offensively the last few games. Butler had 22 turnovers while forcing 20 on the Pirates. They outrebounded Independence by two giving up 13 offensive. The game was sealed at the free throw line as Butler had their best night from the line shooting 84% as a team while the Pirates made just 61% of their free throws.

NEXT UP: Butler (13-4, 11-4) will play KJCCC West opponent Garden City (8-7, 7-7) on Monday, March 22 in a makeup game that was postponed due to health and safety protocols last month with Garden City.