Posted: Jan 25, 2012
CONCORDIA, Kan. – The Butler women could not keep pace with a hot-shooting Cloud County team on Wednesday, falling 68-48 at Arley A. Bryant Gymnasium.
Butler had a couple of early leads, the latest coming at 6-5. Cloud County would blitz the Grizzlies for the rest of the first half, building a 44-26 lead at the intermission. The Thunderbirds shot 58 percent from the floor in the first half, including six 3-pointers, while Butler made just nine of 34 shots for 26 percent.
Butler made a run in the second half, outscoring Cloud 16-5 in the first nine minutes to get as close as seven points. Then the Grizzlies went cold again, scoring just six points in the final 11 minutes of the contest, allowing Cloud County to build a lead as large as 22 points.
Butler was led in scoring by Jamillah Bonner, who had 14 points. She was the only Grizzly in double figures. Destiny Whitehead, April Miller and Tonya Elliott-Salas scored seven points apiece for Butler.
Aleesha Coulter and Ashley Evans led Cloud County with 16 points apiece.
Butler is now 13-7 on the season and 2-4 in Jayhawk West Conference play. Cloud is now 13-6 and 4-2 in conference. The Grizzlies return home on Saturday to face Seward County, which is ranked No. 8 nationally with a 17-2 record, including a perfect 6-0 mark in conference play.
