Third Time’s a Charm; Grizzlies End Blue Dragons Season in Region 6 Quarterfinals

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Grizzlies got it done when it mattered most.

The fifth seeded Butler men's basketball team took down the fourth seeded Hutchinson Blue Dragons 74-73 at the Sports Arena on Tuesday evening in the Region 6 Quarterfinals.

Butler (22-10) was 0-2 vs. the Blue Dragons in the regular season but secured the win on Hutchinson's (19-12) home floor in the postseason as Grizzly head coach Eric Nitsche picked up the win over his previous employer.

The Grizzlies advance to the Region 6 Semifinals taking on the one seed Cowley Tigers on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. from Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays.

"I don't think we played well," said Nitsche. "For the standard we have for ourselves I don't think we played well. You have to stay hungry, especially at this point in the season."

Butler outrebounded Hutch 42-30 and used 42 points off the bench in the win. The Grizzlies had three players score in double figures led by Josiah Kirkwood's 17 points off the bench. Devin Kerr added 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench, shooting 2-2 from downtown. Emeka Opurum added seven points, a game-high 14 rebounds and three blocks. Former Blue Dragon Russell Branch finished with 14 points including shooting 9-11 from the free throw line. His final two free throw makes sealed the game for the Grizzlies.

It was a cold start for the Grizzlies falling behind 17-9 eight minutes into the game. Butler clawed back starting with a 6-0 run as Kirkwood hit a three and Kerr a jumper to cut it to 17-15. Butler outscored Hutchinson 20-11 over the final 10 minutes of the half. During that span they put together the biggest scoring run of the game, 11-0 from 6:32 to 2:18 in the first half, to stake a 33-26 advantage. Butler led 35-30 at the break, holding the Dragons to 32.3% shooting in the opening half.

Bubba Leavell got the second half scoring started with a three off an assist from Branch. Butler did not trail in the second half but did not lead by double digits until the 10:42 mark when a Kerr three made it 58-48. The Grizzlies biggest lead of the game came one basket later as AJ Pierre-Jerome threw a dunk down to make it 60-48.

Hutchinson did not throw in the towel. Butler led 68-60 with two minutes to play but the Dragons cut that lead to one with 10 seconds remaining off three DJ Dudley free throws as he was fouled shooting a three. Butler got the ball back and Branch was fouled, making just one of two free throws as Butler led 72-70. Dudley got a good look at tying the game under the basket but turned the ball over off his own leg and the Dragons had to foul Branch again. This time he connected on both free throws with three seconds left to put Butler up 74-70. Bo Aldridge hit a three with no time remaining, but the game was over as Butler snuck out with the one-point win.

Aldridge led all scorers with 23 points, his third time scoring 20-plus taking on the Grizzlies. Dudley had 18 and Khalil Arnold scored 12 for Hutch.

Butler shot 22-56 (39.3%) from the field and 8-20 (40%) from three while Hutch shot 24-59 (40.7%) and 11-28 from distance (39.3%). Butler was 22-33 (66.7%) from the free throw line and Hutch shot 14-19 (73.7%).