LIBERAL, Kan. — The Butler women had trouble containing hot starts by No. 8 Seward County on Wednesday night, as the Grizzlies suffered their first loss of the 2017-18 season with a 72-58 defeat at the Green House.
Butler (4-1 overall, 1-1 conference) never led in the contest as Seward jumped to a 9-2 lead to open the game and led 22-15 after one quarter of play. The Saints opened the second quarter with another 9-2 lead and led by as many as 16 points in the first half over Butler.
The Grizzlies were hampered by another slow start in the second half, as Seward took a 48-26 lead behind an 8-0 run in the opening 2:20 of the third quarter.
Seward's largest lead of the contest came after Mollie Mounsey hit a three-pointer near the nine-minute mark, giving the Saints a 62-39 lead.
Butler closed out the game strong behind a 14-3 run midway through the final quarter. However, Butler never could close the lead under double digits, only closing within 12 points.
Ericka Mattingly led the Grizzlies with 12 points, while guard Taylor Birch added 11.
Butler will next be in action on Saturday with a road contest at Barton. Tipoff from Great Bend is at 5:30 p.m.