GREAT BEND, Kan. – The Butler women fell 83-50 on the road at Barton on Saturday.
The Grizzlies, ranked 10th nationally, were controlled by the Cougars throughout, but especially in the third quarter.
Butler got on the board first with a bucket by Jalise Smallwood, but Barton would score four straight to take a lead it would never relinquish. The Grizzlies would get within a point at 12-11, but Barton responded with a 10-1 run, leading 22-12. Butler would get three free throws in the closing moments of the quarter, but Barton still led 22-15 going to the second quarter.
Butler then went five minutes into the second quarter without scoring, allowing Barton to double up the Grizzlies at 30-15. That was the same margin at the half, as Barton led 38-23.
Taylor Birch hit a 3-pointer for Butler early in the third quarter, but the Grizzlies could not slow down Barton. The Cougars outscored Butler 31-11, pushing the lead to 69-34 going to the fourth quarter.
Butler shot just 27 percent in the game (14-52) and was even colder from 3-point range at 17 percent (3-18). Barton made 46 percent of its shots (25-54) and knocked down 10 from 3-point range.
Butler was led in scoring by Awreona Ransom with 10 points. Jalise Smallwood had nine points and Camille Downs had seven. Barton was led by Jaylin Stapleton, who scored 22.
Butler is now 13-2 on the season and 4-2 in Jayhawk Conference play. The Grizzlies will be on the road at Pratt on Wednesday.
