Butler (13-0, 12-0) stays undefeated as they go inside W.S. Scott Auditorium in Arkansas City, KS and pick up an 89-75 win over the Cowley Tigers.
"I am so proud of these kids," said head coach Mike Helmer after winning their 13th game of the season. "They keep stepping up in huge games and continue to make plays everyone from our starters to our bench who has really stepped up."
It was a track meet of a first half as the Cowley pace of play allowed the Grizzlies to get out and run. The downside of that was the 12 first half turnovers that came along with that pace of play. Cowley took 44 shots in the first half shooting 39% from the floor
Butler has still never trailed at half this season, but the Tigers had them on the ropes only down three 47-44. Three points is closest a team has been this season entering the half.
It was a sloppy third quarter on both sides flooded with fouls and missed free throws but at the end of three, Butler held a two-point 62-60 lead.
Cowley tied the game tied at 64-64 with 9:12 left in the game but back-to-back layups from Tamara Nard and a Paris Mullins spin move layup spread it out for the Grizzlies giving them a 77-65 lead with 4:12 to play and forced a Tiger timeout.
Missed Cowley shots would turn in to Butler layups and the Grizzlies finished the job 89-75 over the Tigers winning in W.S. Scott Auditorium for the first time since the 2016-2017 season.
Tamara Nard led the Grizzlies scoring 28 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in just 25 minutes of play. Paris Mullins finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Skyla Knight added in 15 points, seven boards, five assists, two steals and three blocks.
Cowley shot 35% from the floor, the highest percentage against Butler this season but finished 11-42 from three. Butler outrebounded the Tigers 60-33 and finished the night shooting 46% from the floor.
NEXT UP: Butler (13-0, 12-0) will play host to the Coffeyville Red Ravens on Saturday, March 13 at 5:30pm. With a Coffeyville loss to Independence Wednesday night, Butler is currently three games up in the KJCCC East at 12-0 with Coffeyville sitting at 7-3.
NOTES: First win in Arkansas City since the 2016-17 season…Improve to 13-0 on season which is the best start to a season during Helmer's tenure…Tamara Nard scored season high 28 points and had a career high 16 rebounds.
