The Butler women put up a vailant defensive effort against No. 1-ranked Hutchinson, but in the end fell short 51-43 at the Hutchinson Sports Arena on Saturday night.
In a contest that featured nine ties and six lead changes, Butler (18-6 overall, 6-4 Jayhawk West) led by as many as nine points in the first half, but struggled offensively throughout the game.
Trailing 11-9 early in the first half, the Grizzlies scored 11 consecutive points to take a 20-11 lead over the Dragons. Jamillah Bonner hit two field goals - including a three-pointer, while Carly Bettencourt, Chelsea Hodison and Tysia Manual added two points each during the run.
Hutchinson would battle back with a 9-0 run of its own, but Butler would go into the locker room with a 23-21 lead thanks to a Hodison field goal with six seconds left in the half.
The Grizzlies held a 34-33 lead midway through the second half when Katie Andersen hit a basket just inside the top of the key, but it would be the last lead they would have. After Anderson's basket, Hutch would go on a 10-2 run to build a seven-point lead. Butler struggled down the stretch, hitting just three field goals in the final 10:23 of play.
Bonner led the Grizzlies with 12 points, while Bettencourt added eight in the loss. Hutchinson was led in scoring by Chrisstasia Walter and Jamie Patrick, who finished with 13 points each.
Butler limited Hutch to just 31.8 percent (14-of-44) from the field, but the Grizzlies only hit 28 percent (17-of-60).
The Grizzlies will return to the Power Plant on Monday for a home meeting against Barton (12-12 overall, 3-8 Jayhawk West). Butler will be looking for a sweep of the Cougars, as the Grizzlies won the first meeting 74-56 at Great Bend back on Jan. 12.
