EL DORADO, Kan. – Butler men's basketball head coach Kyle Fisher picked up his 100th career win on Saturday afternoon as the No. 17 Grizzlies defeated Dodge City at the Power Plant, 80-75.
Fisher, in his fifth season leading the Grizzlies (10-2, 5-1 KJCCC), earned his 100th win in career game number 135 with his overall record now sitting at 100-35 (.740).
"It's been a great four and a half years here at Butler, my family and I are so grateful for this opportunity and to be able to represent this proud program," said Fisher. "100 wins is not easy to come by, especially in this conference where we play 24 conference games every year. A lot of things go into it. I don't look at it as me getting 100 wins but that this program has achieved 100 wins throughout my tenure."
The game served as the final game of the fall semester for Butler as they are off until January. The next game for the Grizzlies is Wednesday, Jan. 3, at the Power Plant with Hutchinson coming to town for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.
"We completely control our own destiny, sitting just one game out of first place," Fisher said. "We are in good shape. Obviously, Coach Townsend, Coach Usher and I are going to get to work next week to find ways we can get better. Some of our guys can really use the rest."
The story of the first half was the end of it. Butler built up its biggest lead of the game, a 14-point advantage at 36-22 with 3:57 to go as Jamichael Stillwell converted a layup. Dodge City (5-8, 3-4) proceeded to rip off a 13-0 run to close the half out and head into halftime down by just one, 36-35.
Both teams were 4-10 from deep in the first half. Dodge City shot 53.8% from the field compared to Butler's 37.8% clip.
Butler led wire-to-wire in the second half and it got started quickly as they scored the first five points of the half. Amare Haynie made a layup and Charles McClennahan Jr. knocked down a three to get things going for the Grizzlies. The half remained close throughout, despite Butler leading the entire time. The largest lead of the half came with 3:05 to play as Kaleb Washington made a jumper from the wing and was fouled, making the free throw for the old fashioned three-point play to put Butler ahead by 10, 71-61. Dodge City got within four points a few times down the stretch, but the Grizzlies made enough free throws in the final minute to escape with the win.
Each squad scored 38 points in the paint. Butler forced 19 Conquistador turnovers, coughing the ball up just 10 times themselves. The Grizzlies were 21-27 from the charity stripe and Dodge City was 9-11. Butler did not shoot well as they were 27-68 from the field. The 39.7% clip was its second lowest of the season.
Charles McClennahan Jr. led Butler with a career-high 18 points, also grabbing eight rebounds. Jamichael Stillwell had 12 points and nine rebounds and Amare Haynie finished with a season-high 17 points, shooting 3-of-6 from three to go with five assists. Kaleb Washington poured in 16 points and five rebounds off the bench while AJ Williams also scored in double figures with 12.
Dodge City's Chevalier "Ice" Emery led all scorers with 20 points. Gavin Shannon added 17 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Conqs.
