Butler sets single-game records in 138-41 win vs. KSU-Salina

Butler sets single-game records in 138-41 win vs. KSU-Salina

The Butler men set four single-game records en route to a 138-41 home victory over Kansas State University-Salina on Saturday at the Power Plant.

Butler set records for most points (138), most points scored in a half (77), margin of victory (73) and steals (30). The previous high for most points, 133, was set in 1989 against Cloud County, while the previous records for points scored in a half (76) and margin of victory (73) were both set in a 1997 non-conference game against McConnell. The Grizzlies had 25 steals in a 1985 game against Hesston College.

Robert Joiner led the Grizzlies (4-0 overall) with 25 points, as he hit 10-of-15 from the field. Freshman guard Travis House added 23 points, making 9-of-18 shots and 5-of-10 from three-point range. Butler had seven players score in double figures, with all 12 players hitting at least one field goal in the contest.

Butler trailed by a 5-2 score early on before putting on an offensive display. The Grizzlies went on a 25-0 run over a six-minute stretch that included dunks from Kyle Steward and Chris Howell, who scored nine straight points during the run.

After a KSU-Salina basket, Butler proceeded to score 24 straight points to build a 51-7 lead with under seven minutes to play in the first half. House scored 10 of his 23 points in the run - including back-to-back three-pointers. Adrion Williams had consecutive dunks to close out the first half to give the Grizzlies a 77-20 lead, with the second dunk setting the record for most points in a half.

Butler continued to dominate after the halftime break, beginning the second half with a 29-5 run. The Grizzlies hit the 100-point mark at the 13:20 mark when Caelan Neal slammed home a dunk. Butler's biggest margin of the contest fell one point short of hitting the century plateau, as Adrion Willams had a fast-break slam to give the Grizzlies a 138-39 lead with just over a minute to play. 

Next up for Butler will be a home contest Tuesday against Neosho County. Tipoff from the Power Plant is at 7:30 p.m., following the women's game.