ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Butler women overcame an early deficit on the road Tuesday to defeat 17th-ranked Cowley 81-74 at W.S. Scott Auditorium.
Cowley, the defending Region VI champions, was undefeated coming into the game and started the contest hot from the field, making seven three-pointers in the first quarter. The Tigers would lead Butler (5-2 overall, 2-2 conference) by as many as 14 points and led 26-17 after the first quarter.
Cowley was still shooting well early in the second quarter, but Butler began to chip away at the Tiger lead later in the half. The Grizzlies got within three at 38-35 with 2:30 left in the second quarter and went into halftime down 42-37.
Dakota Vann scored on a fast break to put Butler up 47-46 with 6:35 left in the the third quarter and Butler stretched the lead to 58-53 by the end of the period.
Cowley got within three points late in the contest before Regan Sanchez scored on a layup to put the Grizzlies up 74-70. Butler then ended the game with a 9-4 run and handed Cowley (7-1, 3-1) its first loss of the season.
Vann had a big night for Butler, recording her third double-double of the season with 21 points and 15 rebounds while adding six blocks. Kendriana Washington added 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting and eight rebounds, while Reagan Sanchez and Raven Prince scored 11 each.
Cowley was led by Corie Fischer, who finished with 19 points and 5-of-7 from three-point range.
Butler will be off for six days over the holiday break before facing Allen County at home on Monday.