Grizzlies comeback attempt comes up short; fall 69-63 to #21 Dodge City

Story by Kalon Fullerton and Wyatt Ebersole

The Butler Grizzlies Women's Basketball Team could not completely pull off a late comeback as they lost at the Power Plant on Wednesday, falling 69-63 to the Dodge City Conqustadors.

Coach Mike Helmer's crew showed resilience all evening as they battled back from down 60-41 in the fourth quarter with 8:26 left. The Grizzlies mounted a furious comeback, led by freshman Maycee James who scored 8 of her 10 points in the contest in the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies would make the score 62-58 after a made free-throw from Freddie Wallace and the Grizzlies would get the stop they needed when they forced a Conq travel. The momentum was all on the Grizzlies side and they were one basket away from a one score game. However, the crucial moment in the game came with 1:19 left when James was called for a controversial offensive foul, much to the chagrin of the Grizzlies fans in attendance who had the Power Plant rocking all evening. This foul was Maycee's fifth and her night was over. Dodge City came down the to the other end and cashed in a on big three-pointer from Bree Stephens that made the score 65-58 and the game seemed over. The Grizzlies would get another chance as Syncere Harrod buried a three with 27 seconds left to make it a four-point game again, but the Conqs made their free-throws down the stretch and the Grizzlies fell 69-63. The Grizzlies outscored Dodge 23-14 in the fourth quarter, but it just wasn't enough.

The Grizzlies were led in scoring by Randi Harding who came off the bench to score 12 points. The freshman from Mustang, Oklahoma matched her career high and reached double digits for the fifth time this season. Maycee James and Dayuna Colvin joined her in double figures, each with 10 points. The bench provided a big spark for the Grizzlies, as Butler earned 27 bench points as a team. 

It was a cold shooting night, with the Grizzlies shooting just 37% as a team. The Grizzlies made six three pointers and 22 points in the paint. Butler finished with 12 assists as a team, led by Jada Knight who had five. The Grizzlies also finished with nine points off turnovers and eight second chance points.

Defensively, the Grizzlies held the Conquistadors to 35% from the field and just 27% from three point range. The Grizzlies forced 17 turnovers, including six steals, led by Knight who finished with two. Maycee James led the Grizzlies on the glass with 10 rebounds, earning a double-double in a losing effort. 

The Grizzlies fall to 9-2 on the year and 5-2 in conference play. It's their first loss at the Power Plant this season. They'll look to right the ship as they travel to Concordia to play Cloud County on Saturday.

NOTES: Head coach Mike Helmer is 14-4 against Dodge City in his career, but has now lost the last three matchups...Helmer is 0-4 against Dodge City Head Coach Landon Steele in his career...The Grizzlies are now 0-2 in games where Freddie Wallace does not score double-digit points and 9-0 when she does...With Dodge defeating Butler and Coffeyville losing to Hutchinson, Dodge City now is in sole possession of first place in the KJCCC at 5-1. Butler and Coffeyville are tied for second at 5-2...Grizzlies home win streak is snapped at seven, dating back to last season...Butler had 24 fouls called on them in the game, the most fouls they've had in any game this season and the most since they had 25 called on them on February 19th, 2022 in a 58-38 win over Garden City