WICHITA, Kan. – The Butler women are headed to the Region VI championship game for the first time since 1996 after defeating Barton 57-45 in the semifinal round on Friday afternoon at Koch Arena.

The Grizzlies, ranked No. 6 nationally, held Barton scoreless for more than seven minutes to start the contest, building a 12-0 lead and never trailed in the game on their way to the title game. Butler (32-1) will take on No. 3 Hutchinson (31-0) in the championship game. The Blue Dragons, who defeated Garden City 68-56 in Friday's other semifinal, have won two straight Region VI titles.

While Butler never trailed, the opening 12-point lead was the largest of the first half. When Barton finally did score, the Cougars made back-to-back three-pointers to cut Butler's lead in half at 12-6.

The Cougars would eventually narrow Butler's lead down to just three points, 19-16, with four minutes to play before the break. Butler would get a layup from Terryauna Godwin and a pair of Alli Heimerman free throws as the Grizzlies took a 23-17 lead into the half.

Butler opened the second half on a 5-0 run with an Ashley Gibson three-pointer and a Shayla Williams 15-foot jumper. The Grizzlies would push the lead to 13 points on a basket by Gibson with 12 minutes to play.

Gibson, however, was whistled for a foul and a technical foul on a blocked shot attempt. Barton converted all four free throws, all part of a 6-0 Barton run to bring the Cougars back within six points.

Barton was still within six when Shayla Williams drained back-to-back treys, the second one coming with 3:39 to play and putting Butler up 45-33. The Cougars never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Butler was led in scoring by Ashley Gibson, who had 16 points. Te'era Williams, who did not score in the first half and played limited minutes due to foul trouble, still managed to score 12 points for the game and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds. Shayla Williams scored 11 points and Teanna Reid added nine for Butler.

The appearance in Saturday's championship game will be the first since a loss to Kansas City, Kansas in the 1996 title game. A win would give Butler its first-ever Region VI championship and an automatic berth in the national tournament in Salina. Even with a loss, Butler will be a contender for an at-large bid to nationals.