Hopkins scores game high 23 points as Butler hangs on to win against a scrappy Garden City team

Hopkins scores game high 23 points as Butler hangs on to win against a scrappy Garden City team
March 23, 2021

It appeared as if there was a lid on the basket for most of the night as Butler shot just 20% from behind the arc and 40% in the game but held on to win 67-60 over a Broncbuster team that wouldn't go away the entire night.

The Grizzlies had a number of open looks in the first half but couldn't' connect as they shot 32% from the floor and 2-16 from behind the arc. Shawn Hopkins was the only Grizzly that was able to get anything to fall as he scored 12 of the Grizzlies 23 first half points.

Shots weren't falling for the Broncbusters either and they finished with a lower percentage in the first half shooting just 16% from the field and 1-10 from deep allowing Butler to take a 23-16 lead into the break.

It wouldn't stay like this all night as both teams shot over 50% in the second half and over 30% from behind the arc and both score 44 points each in the half, but the Grizzlies seven-point first half cushion would be enough to get it done holding on to win 67-60. 

Shawn Hopkins paced Butler with 23 points and eight rebounds to go along with three assists and two steals in the game. DeeJuan Pruitt posted his fourth straight double-double with an 11 point and 10 rebound performance. Noah Thomasson finished with 10 points and six assists.

Butler led by as many as 11 points in the second half but couldn't maintain that double digit lead very long. Garden City tied the game twice, both time in the first half but never led in the contest. Butler made 18 free throws while Garden City shot just 17, and late free throws from Pruitt and Thomasson would help seal the victory and win number 14 on the season.

NEXT UP: Butler (14-4, 12-4) will head to Chanute on Wednesday, March 24 to face off against the Panthers of Neosho in a 7:30pm Wednesday night showdown. Butler is still in third place in the KJCCC East two games back of Cowley and three and a half back from Coffeyville with just four left to play.

NOTES: Second fewest number of points scored in a win this season…fourth straight win over Garden City dating back to the 2017-18 season…Pruitt posts fourth straight double-double and sixth of the season.