GARDEN CITY, Kan. – The No. 17 ranked Butler men's basketball team bounced back with a win on Wednesday evening as they defeated the Garden City Broncbusters 73-68 at Conestoga Arena.
The Grizzlies (9-2, 4-1 KJCCC) got back in the win column after Barton snapped their seven-game win streak last Saturday. Butler defeated the Broncbusters (6-5, 3-3 KJCCC) in Garden City for the first time since January 20, 2020, when they won by a score of 78-73.
"I thought we showed a lot of maturity and toughness and got a win over a really good team," said head coach Kyle Fisher.
Butler's defense traveled well, holding Garden City to just 36.1% shooting in the game. They got off to a quick start, leading 8-0 before Garden City was able to get on the board. The Grizzlies took their largest lead of the first half with 2:44 to play as Kaleb Washington drained a midrange jump shot to put the Grizzlies ahead by 10, 32-22. Garden City fought back though, with Brody Robinson and Braxton Jones each hitting a three and Thomas Tut getting a layup down the stretch. The Broncbusters were behind by four at halftime trailing the Grizzlies 34-30.
The beginning of the second half saw the home team seize the momentum as Garden City scored the first seven points to go ahead 37-34, taking their first lead of the game. They continued to lead Butler, taking a 43-38 lead with 14:09 to play, their largest lead of the game.
The game was back-and-forth through the final 10 minutes. Butler seized the lead back at the 9:57 mark as Deuce Drake's layup made it 52-50. Garden City tied it at 54-54 as Robinson made two free throws but it was the last time the Broncbusters would be tied or hold a lead in the game as Butler never trailed again. AJ Williams and Jamichael Stillwell nailed three's down the stretch to help Butler escape with the win.
"We played really well in the first half," said Fisher. "Then we came out a little flat in the second half while they had energy and they take the lead. No one went their own way, we all hung in together and continued to execute and came away with the win. It's hard to continue to fight as hard as we did on the road, so I am proud of these guys."
Jamichael Stillwell tallied 16 points, and 19 rebounds, his sixth double-double of the season. Deuce Drake added 14 points on 6-10 shooting while Charles McClennahan Jr. earned his first career double-double, tallying 10 points and 11 rebounds.
"Absolutely unbelievable effort from Jamichael (Stillwell) to have the motor and toughness and physicality to do what he did," said Fisher. "He is a relentless worker and player and he brings it every day. His and Charles' (McClennahan) defense was great today and that won't show up in the box score."
Williams led all scorers with 23 points, shooting 4-7 from deep. It was his ninth consecutive game scoring in double figures. He also added five assists.
"Really proud of AJ (Williams), he has gotten so much better since he has been here," said Fisher. "He made some big shots in the second half. Just when you think they (Garden City) had some momentum, here comes AJ with a big shot."
Brody Robinson led Garden City with 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds. His backcourt mate Braxton Jones had 16 points and five rebounds but was just 2-11 from beyond the arc. Thomas Tut finished with 13 points and six rebounds and Charles Chukwu had 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The Grizzlies return to action on Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Power Plant vs. Dodge City with a 4 p.m. tipoff. The game will be the last of the fall semester for Butler as the next game following Saturday will be Jan. 3 at home vs. Hutchinson.
