For the first time since the 1992-93 season, the Butler women's basketball team has won back to back KJCCC Eastern Conference Championships. Butler defeated a resilient Coffeyville team on the road Saturday night 68-62 after a hard-fought back and forth contest.
"This championship means everything to us," said head coach Mike Helmer. "We are super excited because we know how difficult this league is with the great coaches and players that are in this league."
Saturday night was set up to be a big night in KJCCC East basketball with an Eastern Conference title on the line, both Coffeyville and Butler were battling for the overall number one seed in the upcoming Region VI Tournament.
The Grizzlies had a slow start in the first quarter scoring only eight points to the Red Ravens thirteen. Butler would match Coffeyville in points over the next two quarters but would trail by five, 40-35 heading into the final quarter.
Jaelynn McLaurian tied the game up with 7:58 to play in the game on a three pointer in front of the Butler bench. The Grizzlies would take back the lead, 45-42, after back to back layups from Tamara Nard, who finished with a game high 21 points, which made it a 10-2 Butler run.
Carissa Beck got the team off their feet with a corner three to give Butler a four-point advantage, but Coffeyville would answer immediately with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession. Butler still leading 48-47 with 4:18 left to play in the game.
Butler would increase their lead to seven points, 56-49 after Tamara Nard went the length of the court off a steal and made a layup with 2;37 to play. Coffeyville responded with a layup on the other end but a foul and the basket by Camille Downs would give Butler a 59-51 cushion with 2:11 left.
RaVon Nero stepped in front of a Red Raven player who was driving to the basket and they initially called a charge. After the officials gathered up, they overturned the call and gave the basket to Coffeyville who would also make the and one free throw.
An errant pass by the Grizzlies resulted in a Coffeyville steal, a three-pointer made and a foul. A seven-point swing in only four seconds. Coffeyville now only trailing by one, 59-58 with 1:57 to play.
"I was shocked that it was happening," said Helmer on the Red Ravens comeback attempt. "We seemed locked in mentally at that time, so I was surprised when it happened. I just told the team to let it go and finish this last minute and a half strong."
Butler would come up empty on the next possession and the Red Ravens would take back the lead with a layup, Red Ravens up 60-59 with 1:34 left. Again, Tamara Nard had an answer on the other end making a contested layup down low giving Butler back the lead.
Coffeyville would get one more basket in the game, but a Camille Downs steal on the inbounds pass and made free throws in the final minute would seal the victory for the Grizzlies. Free throws from RaVon Nero and Tamara Nard put the game away and the Grizzlies held onto win 68-62.
"I felt our girls just dug in and fought hard to the end. We had a mindset to not give up," commented Helmer.
Tamara nard led all scorers in the game with 21 points. She finished with eight rebounds, two blocks, one steal and 6-11 shooting. RaVon Nero finished with 16 points and five rebounds in the contest. Camille Downs added in 12 points and four steals. Jaelynn McLaurian chalked up 10 points on 4-7 shooting, added in six rebounds and three assists.
Although the Grizzlies just shot 39% from the floor, 25% from three and 61% from the free throw line, Butler relied heavily on their rebounding and defense to control the game. They outrebounded the red Ravens 40-34 grabbing 15 offensive boards, forced 21 Coffeyville turnovers and held the Red Ravens to just 40% shooting from the floor.
With the win, Butler (22-8, 15-5) wins the KJCCC East and gets the No. 1 overall seed heading into the Region VI Tournament.
"As far as being the number one seed we are happy and we could use a little time off," said Helmer. It also gives us more time to prepare for our next game."
The Grizzlies will get a first-round bye and play in the quarterfinal round on Saturday, February 29 at 1:00pm at the United Wireless Arena in Dodge City, KS. They will play the winner of Neosho at Pratt. That game is in Pratt on Wednesday, February 26 at 6:00pm.
Region VI Tournament Information- HERE
