Butler falls at Colby despite big night from Victoria

The Butler men nearly pulled off another conference road win, but came up just short in a 69-64 loss at Colby on Wednesday night.

The Grizzlies trailed by as many as eight points in the first half before pulling even at 29-29 behind a big first half from center Andrew Victoria. Colby would lead 34-30 at intermission despite Victoria's 15 points.

In the second half, Butler tied the game on two occasions and took a 43-41 lead on a Jal'n Williams basket with 15:51 to play. After Justin Simmons scored four straight points, the Grizzlies had their biggest lead at 56-53 with 10 minutes to play.

Colby quickly answered with a 9-1 run to take a 62-57 lead with 5:52 to play and the Grizzlies would get no closer than two points the rest of the way.

"I thought our kids really battled and fought and competed," coach Mike Bargen said. "We just had some lapses in judgment that cost us at the end."

Victoria led Butler with a career-high 19 points to lead three Grizzlies in double figures as Justin Simmons had 14 and Sean Osler scored 11. Jal'n Williams and Zac Bargen had nine points apiece.

Jaime Adams had a game-high 22 points, while Carson Conrady had 18 for Colby.

Colby was 22 for 57 from the floor and made nine 3-point baskets in the game, while Butler was 4-17 from beyond the arc.

Butler is now 7-11 on the season and 1-3 in conference play. The Grizzlies return home to face Pratt at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.