Story by Kalon Fullerton
The Butler Grizzlies outlasted the Cowley Tigers in one of the most thrilling games the Power Plant has ever seen, finally defeating the Tigers in the third overtime to survive the 82-76 slugfest in El Dorado on Wednesday.
The two teams mirrored each other almost step-for-step in a game that featured nine ties and nine lead changes. The Grizzlies took a 30-24 lead into the locker room, but the Tigers outscored Butler 30-24 in the second half to force the game into an extra frame. The two teams scored eight points each in the first overtime and nine points each in the second, before the Grizzlies were finally able to survive in the third overtime, outscoring the Tigers 11-5.
Rob Brown was the clutchest player in the arena, making a layup to send the game to overtime, hitting the tying bucket in the first overtime, and hitting the go ahead three pointer in the second, which looked like it would be the winner, before a desperation heave by the Tigers went in at the buzzer to tie the game at 71.
Brown led all scorers with 22 points, coming off the bench and hitting eight shots from the field and hitting four three pointers. He was joined off the bench by Tahjae Hill who scored 17, while starters Isiah Williams scored 13 and Javon Grant scored 10.
Neither team lit it up offensively, as the Grizzlies shot just 39% from the field. Butler was helped by 32 points in the paint, but this was a game that was won at the charity stripe. The Grizzlies took 39 trips to the free throw line and made 23 of those attempts. Butler also managed 13 second chance points off 10 offensive rebounds. The bench was a major part of this marathon victory, as the Grizzlies were able to get 41 bench points.
The Grizzlies forced 27 turnovers, led by Javon Grant's career high seven steals. Butler forced 16 steals as a team, their second highest steals total this season, behind only the 23 steals they forced in the season opener against Bethany. The Grizzlies were able to score 19 points off turnovers. Butler also held the Tigers to 39% from the field and just 21% from the three point line.
The Grizzlies bounced back from a disappointing loss in Great Bend a week ago and remain in the hunt in the top half of the conference standings with two games remaining. Butler improved to 20-4 on the year and are now 14-6 in conference play. The Grizzlies sweep the Tigers for the second straight year and improve to 9-3 at home against the Tigers since 2011. The Grizzlies improved to 11-2 on the year at home, in what was the penultimate home game for Kyle Fisher's squad. Next up for the Grizzlies will be a trip to Garden City as they hope to complete a series sweep of the Broncbusters on Saturday before returning to El Dorado next Wednesday for the final game of the season against Independence
