GOODLAND, Kan. – The Butler women overcame an early deficit to record their 10th win of the season with a 72-58 road victory over Northwest Kansas Technical College on Wednesday at Max L. Jones Fieldhouse.
Butler (10-5 overall, 3-2 conference) trailed by as many as seven in the opening quarter, but made a key 14-0 second quarter run to gain a double-digit lead and never allowed the Mavericks to get within less than eight points.
Sophomore guard RaVon Nero scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Grizzlies, who led by as many as 16 points in the second half. Maddy Willis-Rosa finished with 13 points, while Tamara Nard added 12.
Trailing 17-14 early in the second quarter, Tamara Nard jumpstarted the 14-0 Grizzly run with three straight field goals in the span on 57 seconds. Dana Johnson added two field goals, while Jaelynn McLaurian hit a 3-pointer in between two Dana Johnson field goals, then Maddy Willis-Rosa ended the run by making 1-of-2 foul shots.
After outscoring the Mavericks 22-6 in the second quarter, Butler took a 34-20 lead into halftime. The Grizzlies limited the Mavericks to just 2-of-13 shooting in the second quarter and won the rebound battle 32-13 in the first half.
"We really talked about that a lot the other day - to always understand those extra X-factors that if you aren't hitting shots or if things aren't going your way, make sure to control those boards," said Butler head coach Mike Helmer. "We did a good job there."
Northwest Tech worked its deficit down to eight, 39-31, with 6:12 remaining in the third quarter following consecutive 3-pointers from Josie Cook and Jada Russell. A quick Butler 7-0 run beginning with a Willis-Rosa trey and field goals by Dana Johnson and Willis-Rosa put the lead back to 15.
Butler led by as many as 16 in the final quarter, as Nero and Downs combined to score 13 of the Grizzlies' final 20 points.
In the fourth, the Mavericks committed 12 fouls and attempted to get back into the game by sending Butler to the foul line, where Butler made 10-of-16 free throws.
"I thought we were really flat coming out, which I thought could happen being finals week. No excuses though… you have to come out and play. We got on a run and got that 10-point lead. One thing I was disappointed was that we didn't really increase it, but we're happy and we'll move on."
Butler trailed 9-2 early in the first quarter, but quickly rallied to tie the game at 10-all behind a pair of Nero 3-pointers. The Grizzlies trailed 14-12 after the opening quarter and did not have its first lead until Nard hit her second of three straight field goals at the 8:18 mark, which put Butler up 18-17.
Cook led Northwest Tech (5-8, 1-4) with 19 points, while Lauryn Vieira added 16 in the loss.
Butler will return after winter break with a home game against Barton (6-7, 2-2) on Saturday, Jan. 4. Tipoff from the Power Plant is at 1:00 p.m.
"When we started the year, we never sat down and set our goals to win every game," said Helmer. "Our goals was to be as good as we can be every day, have a chance for a conference championship, have a chance for a region championship and make a return trip to the national tournament and all those things are still in play.
"We just have to continue to get better, but we'll have let the girls have a good break and get to see their families, but when they return on the 26th to be ready to work."
