Wacky Game Sees Grizzlies Fall to Pratt for 1st Time Since 2017

EL DORADO, Kan. – In a game that saw three players ejected, Butler came out on the wrong side of it with a 94-89 loss to the Pratt Beavers at the Power Plant on Wednesday evening.

A hard foul from Butler (22-6, 17-5 KJCCC) forward Jamichael Stillwell as Pratt's Jarrett Dingle attempted a fast break layup with 16 minutes to play in the second half turned into a scuffle between both teams which ended in ejections for both teams.

"We got caught up in some of the extracurricular stuff instead of worrying about executing and being able to guard the ball," said head coach Kyle Fisher. "That's why we lost, not because we were short-handed, but because we didn't play with any poise or discipline and we couldn't get the stops we needed."

Pratt outscored Butler 45-33 over the final 16 minutes to escape the Power Plant with the win.

Butler's Jaquez Thornton finished with a career-high 26 points to go with nine rebounds. He shot 18-19 from the free throw line in a game that was called extremely tight down the stretch following the ejections.

"He was the only guy that could consistently get a paint touch and get around a defender," said Fisher. "We struggled getting around them and playing strong around the basket. Jaquez got in the mix and drew some contact."

Charles McClennahan Jr. had 16 points and seven rebounds and AJ Williams had 10 points and two assists.

Pratt had five player score in double figures led by Davonte 'Bubba' Toss who had 22 points and eight rebounds.

Pratt shot 50.0% from the field to Butler's 39.1%. Each team shot 38 free those with Butler shooting an impressive 34-38 (89.5%) to Pratt's 65.8% (25-38).

"We couldn't guard them," Fisher said. "They beat us in transition, in the halfcourt and they were stronger around the rim. We just allowed them to be the more aggressive team all night."

Butler trailed 40-38 heading into halftime and were outscored 54-51 in the second half.

Butler returns to the hardwood on Saturday at Cloud County with a 4 p.m. tipoff.