Butler Routs Northwest Kansas Technical in Conference Opener

GOODLAND, Kan. – Sixth-ranked Butler women's basketball routed Northwest Kansas Technical 88-47 at Max L. Jones Fieldhouse on Tuesday evening in the Grizzlies conference opener.

The story of the game was Butler (7-0, 1-0 KJCCC) going on a 29-2 run that spanned part of the first and second quarters. The Grizzlies trailed 5-4 early on before erupting on the run that put them in position to win over the Lady Mavs (1-5, 0-1 KJCCC).

The Grizzlies were relentless on defense, forcing 34 Maverick turnovers and scoring 32 points off the mistakes. Butler was also knocking down three pointers as they shot 7-15 (46.7%) on the evening highlighted by Freddie Wallace's 2-3 shooting from deep. Wallace led all scorers with 19 points and also added four rebounds and four steals.

The win was Butler's third straight conference opening win and moves them to 10-0 all time vs. Northwest Kansas Technical.

Butler outscored the Mavericks 24-7 in the second quarter to take a 39-14 lead into halftime. The game was never within reach for the Mavericks in the second half despite them hitting back-to-back three's early in the third quarter, forcing a Butler timeout.

The Grizzlies have now won six of their seven games by 30 or more points including two wins by 40-plus.

Randi Harding was impressive in all aspects. She finished with 12 points, a team-high seven assists, five steals and four rebounds. Maycee James led Butler with six steals as she is now averaging 4.9 steals per game through seven games. Alba Cunill hit three three's, totaling 12 points and two steals. J'unti Franklin reached double figures for the first time this season, shooting 10-12 from the charity stripe.

Butler returns home on Saturday, Nov. 25, to take on the Seward County Saints at the Power Plant with tipoff set for 2 p.m. CT.