TONKAWA, Okla. – The Butler women are off to their best start since the 2001-2002 season after a 74-54 road win over Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa on Saturday.

Butler (13-1) surpassed its 2006-2007 season start, when the Grizzlies went 12-1 under then-head coach Darryl Smith. Under head coach Mike Helmer, this is the fastest Butler has won 13 games. The Grizzlies' best start in school history was a 20-0 start to the season back in 2001-2002.

Te'era Williams led all scorers with 24 points and pulled down a season-high 17 rebounds, while Ashley Gibson scored a season-high 23 points. Williams' double-double gives her six on the season.

Butler never trailed in the contest and led by as many as 29 points midway in the second half over the Mavericks. The Grizzlies dominated Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa in the paint, outscoring the Mavericks 48-10. Butler also outrebounded Tonkawa 52-29 and pulled down 16 rebounds which led to 12 second-chance points.

The Grizzlies opened the contest with a 21-3 run, with Williams and Gibson leading the surge. Gibson scored 12 points – including eight straight points to give Butler a 10-3 lead – while Williams added seven points, with six coming on layups.

Up 47-28 with just over 14 minutes to play in the second half, Gibson started a 14-4 Butler run to give the Grizzlies a 29-point lead. Gibson scored seven straight points for Butler, then added a layup later in the run.

The Grizzlies will host Seminole State, Okla., at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Power Plant. Butler won 71-53 at Seminole 71-53 back on Nov. 9.