Undefeated season snapped Saturday after poor shooting night

The chance at an undefeated season has come to an end as the Butler women (13-1, 12-1) fell Saturday night at home to the Coffeyville Red Ravens 69-61.

It was a slow start for Butler as they were held scoreless in the first five minutes of the first quarter but hit a few shots late and took an 11-8 lead over Coffeyville after one. The Red Ravens pieced together a solid second quarter and a Paige Scott three under a minute would give them the lead heading into the break, 31-30. This was the Grizzlies first time trailing at the half all season.

Butler tried to get the offense going but struggled shooting and Coffeyville carried their first half momentum into the second and took a seven-point, 50-43 lead into the final 10 minutes.

The Grizzlies struggled from three all night and finally hit their first one from deep with 5:51 left in the game, prior to that shot from Skyla Knight they were 0-18. Another three from Mekayla Furman at the 4:18 mark closed the gap to three, 55-52, but the Red Ravens answered on the other end with a layup and Butler wouldn't be able to make the comeback after that and fell for the first time in over a year 69-61.

Tamara Nard led the way for Butler with 17 points and seven boards. Mekayla Furman finished with 13 points five assists and three steals. Skyla Knight and Kaylee Nero both added 10 points in the loss.

Butler finished shooting 31% from the floor, their worst outing of the year and 4-27 for 15% from three. They also had their worst night from the free throw line making just 52%, 17-33.

NEXT UP: Butler (13-1, 12-1) still two games up in the KJCCC East, will host Cloud County on Monday, March 15 at 5:30pm in their second of a four-game home stretch. 

NOTES: First loss since February 10, 2020…Two game lead in the KJCCC East…Highest FG% allowed in a game this season (39%)… Butler shot lowest FG % (32%), 3PT % (15%) and lowest FT% (52%) of the season.