For the first time this season the Butler Men's Basketball team (11-4, 9-4) lost a home game falling to No. 2 ranked Coffeyville on Saturday night 76-66.
After falling behind 17-7 to start the game, the Grizzlies went on a run and tied it up after Shawn Hopkins had a breakaway dunk followed by a strong layup at the rim tying the game at 25-25 with 6:17 to play in the first half. Coffeyville would score two quick baskets to end the half and after an intense first half, Butler trailed 38-33.
Butler would tie it back up rather quickly after a bench warning on head Coffeyville coach Jay Herkelman and a technical foul on Blaise Keita would give Butler free throws that would knot it up at 41-41 with 16:44 to play. Coffeyville responded after the technical going on a 15-4 run over the next seven minutes stretching their lead back to 10 with 9:25 to play.
A Noah Thomasson layup got Butler within six points with 2:10 remaining, but the Red Ravens would hit their free throws in the final minutes to win it 76-66.
Butler struggled shooting making the least number of baskets they have all season at 19. They went 2-18 from three and shot just 40% from the floor. They had 20 turnovers in the contest, the second straight game with 20+, and gave up 14 offensive rebounds.
Noah Thomasson had a game high 24 points, five rebounds and four assists in the loss. DeeJuan Pruitt, who had to spend some time on the bench in foul trouble, still finished with double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Shawn Hopkins was the other Grizzly in double figures scoring 12 points on the night.
NEXT UP: Butler(11-4, 9-4) are currently in 3rd place in the KJCCC East behind Coffeyville (12-1) and Cowley (11-2) and will look to rebound Monday, March 15 as they host the Cloud County T-Birds. That game is slated for a 7:30pm start time following the women's game.
NOTES: First ever back to back losses for head coach Kyle Fisher… Second ever home loss in the Power Plant for Fisher…Lowest 3PT% this season (11%)… second straight game with 20+ turnovers.
