Grizzlies Can't Complete Comeback, Fall to Barton

GREAT BEND, Kan. – The No. 19 Butler Grizzlies fell to the Barton Cougars 118–113 on Saturday night, nearly completing a 24‑point comeback.

It was a tale of two halves between the Grizzlies (9-5, 5-3) and the Barton Cougars (10-5, 5-4). The Grizzlies were ice cold shooting in the first half, and Barton took advantage. The Grizzlies trailed by as many as 24 points in the first half, and shot only 32.6 percent from the field, including an abysmal 3-for-22 from beyond the arc. Barton shot 21-for-40 from the field, while also shooting 22 free throws, converting on 16 of them. Barton took a 20 point half time lead, 62-42, over the Grizzlies heading into the break. 

The Grizzlies finally found some offense in the second half, scoring 71 total points in the half, to Barton's 56. Barton led the Grizzlies 67-45 with 18 and a half minutes to go, and the Grizzlies put the pressure on, going on a incredible 43 to 21 run to come all the way back and tie the game at 88 all with 8:47 to go. All of the sudden, it was a ball game. 

Once the Grizzlies tied the game, both teams went back and forth trading baskets. After a three by freshman Tristan Hankins, the Grizzlies took their first lead of the game, 103-100 with only three and a half minutes to go. Barton retook the lead 106-103, and then Xavier Brown made a clutch three to tie the game back up 106-106 with 2:01 left in the contest. Barton eventually pulled away, putting the Grizzlies in tough situations, sending the Cougars to the free throw line, where they converted. Barton shot a whopping 49 second half free throws, making 34 of them. For the game, the Cougars made a grand total of 50 free throws, going 50 of 71 for the game. Seven total Grizzlies fouled out in the game. 

Hankins led all scorers with a career high 37 points, 28 of them in the second half. Hankins shot 12-for-17 for the game, including going 6-for-9 from three. Three other Grizzlies scored in double figures, with Xavier Brown scoring 17 points off the bench, Josiah Kirkwood added 13 points, and Amare Jones finished with 10. 

The Grizzlies shot 37-for-95 from the field, 13-for-45 from three. Barton shot 32-of-60 from the field. Butler finished 26-of-38 from the foul line, compared to Barton's 50-of-71. The Grizzlies outrebounded Barton 55 to 46, and forced 23 Barton turnovers, to the Grizzlies 20. 

Barton's Noah Williams led the Cougars with 33 points, 25 of them from the free throw line alone. Barton had four players score in double figures on the night. 

The Grizzlies are now in fifth place in the Jayhawk Conference at 5-3. Dodge City and Indepenence are at the top of the Jayhawk Conference leaderboard at 6-2 on the season. 

Next up: The Grizzlies are back at home on Wednesday to face the Cowley Tigers at 7:30 p.m. from the Power Plant in El Dorado.