Grizzlies Lock Up KJCCC Championship with Road Win at No. 7 Dodge City

DODGE CITY, Kan. – The No. 2 Butler Grizzlies clinched their sixth KJCCC regular-season championship under head coach Mike Helmer on Wednesday night, defeating No. 7 Dodge City 67–53 despite missing a key starter.

The Grizzlies (27–1, 21–1 KJCCC) were without standout freshman forward Aliyah Green, who missed the game due to illness. In her absence, several Grizzlies rose to the occasion. Sophomore Destiny Smith, making just her seventh start of the season, contributed 12 points and six rebounds. Kenzie Galliart delivered a season‑high 19 points and added nine rebounds.

Butler fell behind 7–0 in the opening minutes before a timeout from Helmer sparked a turnaround. The Grizzlies battled back to tie the game 15–15 at the end of the first quarter. The teams remained deadlocked at halftime, entering the break tied 31–31 after both struggled from the field—Butler shooting 33.3 percent and Dodge City 36.7 percent.

Dodge City held a narrow 46–44 lead heading into the fourth, but the final period belonged entirely to Butler. The Grizzlies outscored the Conquistadors 23–7 in the quarter, locking down defensively and controlling the glass.

Butler held Dodge City to just seven made field goals in the second half and forced six turnovers. For the game, the Grizzlies shot 35.7 percent while limiting Dodge City to 31.6 percent. The biggest difference came on the offensive boards, where Butler grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and converted them into 18 second‑chance points, compared to Dodge City's five.

Sophomore guard Ashley Singhateh added a 10‑point, 10‑rebound double‑double in the win.

With the victory, Butler secured its first KJCCC regular-season title since 2021 and the sixth under Helmer.

Next up: The Grizzlies return home to the Power Plant on Saturday to host Cloud County at 2 p.m.