Story by Kalon Fullerton, Butler Atheltics
The Butler Grizzlies bounced back after a tough loss at home to Hutchinson on Friday, throttling the No. 16-ranked Garden City Broncbusters, 96-58, at the Power Plant on Saturday night, to notch their 21st win of the season.
After losing by thirty points when the two teams faced off in Garden City earlier in the season, the Grizzlies returned the favor, as they led almost the entire game, taking a 20 point lead into halftime and growing the lead to as many as 36 points before closing out the game with a 27 point win.
The Grizzlies were scorching from the field, as they finished 54% as a team. Butler also overwhelmed the Broncbusters from three point range, shooting 50% from outside the arc and making 12 threes. Butler was also helped by 27 points off of 18 Garden City turnovers. Butler also outscored the Broncbusters 46-16 in the paint, as they were able to score in a variety ways against a Garden City defense that had stifled them in the first matchup.
The Grizzlies needed their stars to show up in the biggest game of the season, and they did just that. Four of Butler's five starters reached double figures, and two scored over 20 points. Jaden Okon and Eden Holt starred offensively, finishing with 22 and 21 points respectively. Starters Isaiah Williams and Treylon Payne also reached double figures, and big man Isaac Ondekane continued his run of good performances coming off the bench, as he chipped in 10 points and a monstrous 12 rebounds.
The Grizzlies dominated Garden on the glass, outrebounding the Broncbusters, 37-23. Butler was able to grab 12 offensive rebounds and put in 14 second chance points. Garden City shot the ball well, finishing 45% from the field, but they simply could not keep up with the Grizzlies' shooting, and Butler was able to force enough turnovers to build the blowout lead and carry it throughout.
The win improves Butler's record to 21-7 on the year and 15-7 in conference play. The win will put the Grizzlies ahead of the Broncbusters in the conference standings with just one week to go in the regular season. Butler's record at home improves to 13-2 on the year, and they will play their last regular season home game on Monday night, welcoming Northwest Tech to El Dorado on at 7:30pm in the Power Plant.
