GREAT BEND, Kan. – The Butler Community College women's basketball team defeated the Barton Cougars 84-40 at the Barton Gym on Wednesday evening.
Butler (16-5, 11-5 KJCCC) earned its fifth win of 40 or more points on the season, defeating the Cougars (11-12, 7-10) by 44 on their home floor. It marks Butler's largest margin of victory in the series with the Cougars all-time. Butler has won four straight over Barton, sweeping the regular season in back-to-back seasons. The loss for Barton snapped a three-game win streak.
Four of five Butler starters scored in double figures led by freshman guard Ashley Singhateh's 19 points as she also had five rebounds, four assists and four steals. Freshman guard Keegan Yarick added 17 points on 7-12 shooting, eight rebounds and three assists while Destiny Smith had 14 points and five assists and Kenzie Galliart put up 11 points and seven rebounds. Lucia Lara pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds to go with six points. Awa Jawara tied a season-high with five points off the bench.
The Grizzlies shot over 50% from the field for just the second time this season as they converted at a 50.8% clip including 8-20 (40%) from distance and 10-13 (76.9%) from the free throw line. Butler outrebounded Barton 45-28 and forced 17 Cougar turnovers to 10 of their own. The Grizzly defense held Barton to 22.6% (12-53) shooting from the field, the Cougars second lowest mark of the season.
The first half saw Butler force 16 of the Cougars 17 turnovers on the game as the Grizzlies led 20-9 after the first quarter and 44-24 at halftime. Barton cut the Butler lead to five at 14-9 with 3:26 to play in the first frame but Butler responded with a 6-0 run to end the quarter.
Barton turned the ball over just once in the second half but Butler's halfcourt defense held them to 4-33 shooting (12%) on the way to the win.
The Grizzlies return to action on Monday, Feb., 10th, traveling to Fort Hays Tech Northwest with tipoff set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
Road wins call for a little extra fun❗️
— Butler Grizzlies (@ButlerGrizzlies) February 6, 2025
"This is as proud as I've been of you this year." – Coach Helmer after the W#BucoNation pic.twitter.com/UJ89mPsyZU
