Butler women hold on for 71-68 win at Independence

Butler women hold on for 71-68 win at Independence

INDEPENDENCE, Kan. - The Butler women got back on the winning track defeating Independence 71-68 on the road Saturday afternoon. With the win, Butler (18-7 overall, 8-6 conference) has now won five out of its last six games.

Sophomore Nia Roberts set a career high with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the floor - including 3-for-3 from beyond three-point range. Sophomore Tamara Lee finished with a double-double tallying 17 points and snatching 12 rebounds. Lee filled the stat line by shooting 9-of-10 from the charity stripe, dishing out five assists and recording 2 steals.

Up 33-18 at half, Butler led by as many 19 points with 6:10 left in the third quarter before Independence closed within a point, 67-66, with 19.8 seconds to play. However, the Grizzlies made 4-of-6 foul shots to close out the win.

Butler connected on 21-of-30 from the free throw line and outrebounded the Pirates by a 41-37 margin. The Grizzlies are leading the conference in attempts (638) and makes (462) from the free throw line. Nationally, Butler ranks fourth in attempts and second in makes. On the season, the Grizzlies are shooting 69.2% from the foul line, which ranks tied for 24th

Also highlighting Butler effort was Kyeria Hannah with nine points and seven rebounds, Raven Prince with eight points, Janee Arnold five points, Hayley Leeper four, Cassie Pauls and Alecia Gulledge finished with three apiece, and Nakylia Carter with 2 points.

The Grizzlies will be back in action at home on Wednesday as they host Neosho County. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. inside the Power Plant.