Butler took an early 6-0 lead after holding the high scoring (107ppg) Tigers scoreless for the first four and a half minutes of the game. Cowley came to life making back-to-back threes which put them back on track and opened up the floor for them. After the first five minutes of the half, they held the lead most of the way out. Karrington Davis hit a three to tie it up at 25-25, but the Tigers had an answer with a three of their own on the other end on the ensuing possession. Shawn Hopkins made a jump shot to close out the half with Butler trailing by three, 40-37.

Twice the Grizzlies tied it up in the second half, but the Tigers answered with a basket on their end both times. Noah Thomasson tied the game at 59-59 with11:04 left to play in the game, but back-to-back threes from Clark and Henderson of Cowley gave them back a six-point lead. Butler climbed back within four points at the eight-minute mark, but again, another timely three from Cowley sparked the Tigers and they closed out the game winning 94-81.

Shawn Hopkins led the way for Butler with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. Karrington Davis finished with 15 points off 3-6 shooting from three and Donyae McCaskill had 13 points and six boards off the bench for Butler. Treylon Payne was the other Grizzly in double figures scoring 10 on the night.

Butler handled the full court pressure well turning over the ball just 14 times in the game. They outrebounded the Tigers by nine giving up just seven offensive boards. Cowley shot 47% from the floor and 47% from three making 16-34 from deep. Butler was held to 38% shooting and 21% from three.

NEXT UP: Butler (16-5, 14-5) will travel to No. 5 Coffeyville on Wednesday, March 31 for a 7:30pm tip with the Red Ravens.