Grizzlies torch Cougars, win by 21 at home

The Butler Grizzlies put the finishing touches on a huge week, winning all three games they played, finishing with a stellar 85-64 domination of the Barton Cougars at the Power Plant on Saturday.

The Grizzlies led nearly wire to wire as they built the lead to 20 points at the halftime buzzer, boosted by a 16-5 run. Butler shot an immaculate 64% from the field in the second half, and made five of their nine three point shots, as they built the lead to as many as 27 points before the game finally ended with Butler leading by 21. Five Butler players finished in double figures, led by Jaden Okon who finished with 17. Four of the five starters finished with double digits, and they also got a nice boost from Issac Ondekane, who came off the bench to score 10.

The Grizzlies shot 43% from the field for the game, and finished with 11 three pointers on 27 attempts, good for 40% from behind the arc, against a Barton team that came into the game as the best defensive team in the Jayhawk Conference, holding opponents to an average of 36% from the field. The Grizzlies got 27 points from their bench, and finished with 24 points in the paint. 

Defensively, Butler won the rebounding margin, finishing with 44, led on the glass by Ondekane, who finished with seven. Butler forced 16 turnovers and held the Cougars to just seven second chance points. One of the most decisive stats of the game turned out to be free throw shooting, as Barton was successful in only 37% of their trips to the line, while Butler made 16 of their 21, good for 76%. 

It's the third straight victory for the Grizzlies, who improve to 19-6 on the year and 13-6 in Jayhawk Conference play. Butler got back to winning ways at home after dropping a game in El Dorado for the first time all season last Saturday against Dodge City, as they build their home record to 12-1 on the year. Butler will look to build with another huge week next week, as they play three games, starting with a trip to Ark City to face the Cowley Tigers on the road on Wednesday, before two games at home against Hutchinson (Thursday) and Garden City (Saturday).