EL DORADO, Kan. – The 13th-ranked Butler Grizzlies made their home debut in 2023 on Tuesday, defeating the Labette Cardinals 68-51 at the Power Plant.
Butler (2-1) held Labette (1-3) to just 37.8% shooting while dominating in the paint, outscoring the Cardinals 44-20 down low.
Forward Jamichael Stillwell led all scorers with 17 points, finishing with his second double-double this season as he also totaled 16 rebounds. Guard AJ Williams had 15 points off the bench to go with three assists. Guard Kaleb Washington had eight points and five assists off the bench while Charles McClennahan Jr. had 10 points and four rebounds.
Butler led 29-21 at half and outscored Labette 39-30 in the second half to eventually get the 17-point win.
Labette took a 14-11 lead in the first half off a three from Mohammed Maxamud. Butler then went on a 10-0 run to take a 21-14 lead. They did not relinquish the lead again throughout the game. Labette did make it close in the second half as Eric Dillinger hit a three to cut it to a 35-34 Butler lead but again the Grizzlies pulled away. There were five ties and five lead changes in the game.
Butler returns to action on Friday when Kansas Wesleyan's JV squad visits the Power Plant for a 4 p.m. tipoff.
