The current version of the Butler women's basketball team now owns the longest winning streak in the history of the program after defeating visiting Neosho County 79-47 on Saturday night at the Power Plant.
The win is the 21st straight for the Butler women. The previous longest winning streak was by the 2001-02 team that started the season 20-0. The win also improves Butler to 23-1 on the season, the best start to a season in program history, bettering the 22-1 mark by that same 2001-02 team. The Grizzlies are also now 6-0 in Jayhawk East Conference play, going unbeaten through the first rotation against conference members.
As usual, Butler used its defensive pressure to get out to an early lead, leading 13-5 more than five minutes into the game. Neosho would respond, however, and get back within four points at 14-10.
That is when Butler went on a 16-0 run, pushing the lead to 20 for the first time after Ashley Gibson scored six straight points. Butler's biggest lead of the first half came on an offensive rebound and stick back by Te'era Williams with six seconds left in the period. The Grizzlies took a 41-17 advantage into the half.
Butler wasn't as dominant in the second half, but still pushed the lead to as many as 41 points on a layup by Te'era Williams with 9:31 to play in the game. The 32-point margin at the end marks the 12th game this year Butler has won by 30 or more points, including all six games in conference play.
Butler was led by Ashlee Ivy with 16 points while Ashley Gibson had 15 points. Te'era Williams had 14 points and a team-high 19 rebounds. It is her 11th double-double of the season. Shayla Williams was also in double digits with 10 points. Terryauna Godwin had five points, Teanna Reid and Bethany Howard had four apiece, while Elayna Spilker scored three, Kynadi Johnson had two and Peyton Michalski had one.
The Grizzlies will now start the second half of conference play, playing another home game on Wednesday against Coffeyville.
