Three-Point Barrage Powers Butler to Blowout Over Fort Hays Tech
EL DORADO, Kan. – The Butler Grizzlies knocked down 20 three-pointers to cap off a 132-97 rout of the Fort Hays Tech Northwest Tigers on Saturday.
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
44 | 54 | 98 |
|
|
69 | 63 | 132 |
Team Stats
Fort Hays Tech Northwest
| Game Statistics | Fort Hays Tech Northwest | Butler |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (26-59) | (44-86) |
| Field Goal % | 44.1% | 51.2% |
| Rebounds | 34 | 48 |
| Assists | 15 | 30 |
| Turnovers | 17 | 11 |
EL DORADO, Kan. – The Butler Grizzlies knocked down 20 three-pointers to cap off a 132-97 rout of the Fort Hays Tech Northwest Tigers on Saturday.
It marked the second time this season Butler has hit at least 20 threes in a game. The Grizzlies opened the year with 25 triples against Ranger College. Their 132 points against Fort Hays Tech were the most since scoring 137 against Southwestern JV during the 2017-18 season.
Butler raced to a 69-44 halftime lead behind a blistering 15 threes at a 57.7 percent clip. The Grizzlies did commit 18 personal fouls in the first half, allowing Fort Hays Tech to score 15 of its 44 points from the free-throw line.
In the second half, Butler cooled slightly from deep, hitting just 5-of-18 from three, but still poured in 63 points. Foul trouble was a theme for both teams, with a combined 58 fouls and 90 free-throw attempts. Fort Hays Tech finished 38-of-58 at the line, while Butler went 24-of-32.
Seven Grizzlies scored in double figures. Freshman guard Aiven Riley led the way with 22 points off the bench, including 6-of-8 from three. Riley was electric in the first half, hitting 5-of-6 triples for 15 points in just eight minutes. Sophomore Devin Kerr added 17 points and nine rebounds, while Tristan Hankins nearly recorded a triple-double with 16 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Sophomore Josiah Kirkwood chipped in 12 points and three assists, continuing his streak of double-figure scoring in all four conference games.
The Grizzlies currently lead the Jayhawk Conference in scoring and rank fourth nationally in the NJCAA, averaging 106.3 points per game.
Up next: Butler travels to Garden City on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff against the conference-leading Broncbusters. Garden City ranks second in the Jayhawk Conference and fifth nationally in scoring, averaging 105.3 points per game.
