IOLA, Kan. — Behind a dominating defense, the Butler women broke a three-game losing streak with an 87-57 road win over Allen on Saturday.
Sophomore guard Ericka Mattingly finished with a season-high 18 points to lead Butler (5-3 overall, 2-3 conference), who won its 18th straight game over the Red Devils.
Butler limited Allen to just 21 percent (5-of-24) shooting in the second half and led by as many as 36 points.
Up 6-4 in the first quarter, the Grizzlies put together a 10-0 run as Taylor Birch hit a three-pointer and followed with a pair of free throws. Deztinee Gooden added a three-point play and Kyla Callins made a field goal. The run helped Butler to a 20-9 lead after one quarter.
Mattingly then scored 10 second-quarter points, including two three-pointers as the Grizzlies took a 41-22 advantage into halftime.
Butler turned up the defensive effort as the second half began as the Grizzlies opened with a 16-1 run. Allen managed just one field goal in the third quarter, coming with just 16 seconds left. The Devils scored 10 of 12 points at the foul line, hitting just 50 percent.
Mattingly was fouled on a made field goal at the 5:10 mark of the fourth quarter, which gave Butler a 79-43 lead - its largest lead of the game.
Butler had four players score in double figures in addition to Mattingly's 18 points. Birch finished with 15 points, while Kyla Callins added 14 and Awreona Ransom had 13. Jikira Wilson led Allen with 14 points.
The Grizzlies will next be in action Wednesday with a 5:30 p.m. home contest at the Power Plant against Independence.