The 15th ranked Butler Grizzlies notched one of their biggest wins of the season at the Power Plant on Wednesday, defeating the defending national champion Coffeyville Red Ravens by a score of 61-52, to win their fourth straight game and improve to 9-1 on the year and 4-1 in conference play.
It was an absolute slugfest that featured nine ties and seven lead changes. Neither team shot well, but the Grizzlies held a slight edge, finishing the game at 40%. Butler's Eden Holt hit a three point runner at the buzzer to cut the Ravens lead to one point going into the locker room. He would take over in the second half. Playing all 40 minutes and finishing the game with 26 points on 8-15 from the field. Every time the Grizzlies needed a big play he provided the answer. He was 6-13 from three point range and made all four of his free throw attempts. The Grizzlies shot 16-21 as a team from the charity stripe.
If there was one key stat, it was rebounding. Almost every missed shot was contested tonight, but the Grizzlies won the rebound battle, 30-25. Marque English led the team on the glass with eight, adding to a seven point performance. The Grizzlies also narrowly edged out the win in points in the paint, scoring 22 points inside to the Ravens' 20. In a physical game like this, it proved to be the difference. The Grizzlies also held the Ravens well under their average offensively, as the Ravens came into the game scoring 78 points per game.
The Grizzlies won despite just six bench points. Issac Ondekane finished with 14 points, going 4-7 from the field.
The Grizzlies won at home for the sixth straight game, in front of a packed Power Plant. They'll look to continue their hot streak on Saturday, when they travel to Hutchinson to play the Blue Dragons who are currently ranked fourth in the country.
