Grizzlies win for just the third time in the last 14 years at Coffeyville in physical KJCCC battle

Grizzlies win for just the third time in the last 14 years at Coffeyville in physical KJCCC battle

Kyle Fisher picked up his first win on the road against his former team, the Coffeyville Red Ravens, as the Butler Grizzlies picked up a crucial road win and sweeping the defending national champs, winning for just the third time in the last 14 years at Nellis Hall 67-59 on Monday.

Four Grizzlies scored in double digits, led by Jaden Okon with 18, and he was also one rebound short of a double-double. Treylon Payne was close behind with 14 as he played for nearly 39 minutes for the Grizzlies. 

Butler had to bounce back in the second half after trailing by eight points in the first half. Butler scored 42 points in the second half and got several key stops down the stretch to secure the victory in a game that featured six lead changes.

The Grizzlies shot 43%, despite going only 4-14 from the three point line. Butler was boosted by making 15 of their 20 free throws, shooting 75% from the stripe. The Grizzlies got just nine points from their bench but the starters got the job done, as four of the five Butler starters reached double figures.

Defensively, the Grizzlies were impressive, holding the Ravens to 36% from the field and forcing 13 turnovers. The Grizzlies outrebounded the Ravens, 40-34, and scored 12 points off Ravens turnovers. 

It's the first win at Nellis Hall for Butler since the Grizzlies beat the Ravens, 82-73, in 2017, which was also the last time the Grizzlies swept the Ravens. Butler improved to .500 on the road this season and have now picked up two crucial consecutive road wins. The win improves Butler's overall record to 17-6, and their record in Jayhawk Conference play to 11-6, as they continue to keep pace in the top half of the conference. They'll look to pick up their third consecutive victory away from home on Wednesday, when they travel to Arley Bryant Gymnasium in Concordia to face the Cloud County Thunderbirds in a rematch of a game the Grizzlies won, 72-69, when the two teams faced off in El Dorado in December.