Grizzlies roll in season opener

Grizzlies roll in season opener
November 2, 2021

The first points of the season were scored just seconds into the game as Eden Holt lobbed it up to Jaden Okon for the alley-oop starting off the season with a slam as Butler rolled to the 127-52 win over Tabor College JV Monday night in the Power Plant.

The Grizzlies started the game on a 20-0 run forcing two early timeouts from the Bluejays. Tabor finally got on the board at the 13;51 mark in the first half with a three from N'kozi Harris. Butler stayed with their foot on the gas throughout the first half and carried a 63-25 lead into the break.

Keyon Thomas caught fire in the second half finishing 3-3 from three with a team high 19 points to lead all scorers. RJ McGarthy had a big night finishing with 17 points while Isaiah Williams chipped in 16 points as the Butler sophomores led the way. Caleb Golden and Isaac Ondekane also finished in double figures with 14 and 10 points respectively on the night.

The Grizzlies offense was rolling as they shot 58% as a team on the night and 39% from three. They committed just 12 turnovers while forcing the Bluejays into 26 on the night.

Butler will get a real test this weekend as they travel to play in the Reed Overhead Doors Classic hosted by No. 2-ranked Indian Hills. They will open the weekend against Marshalltown (IA) on Friday at 4:30pm and will face the Warriors of Indian Hills on Saturday at 7:00pm.