Grizzlies Drop Heartbreaker to Hutchinson

EL DORADO, Kan. – The Butler Grizzlies fell to the Hutchinson Blue Dragons 83-82 on a last-second three-pointer, dropping their first conference game of the season.

With the loss, Butler falls to 5-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while Hutchinson improves to 6-2 and 1-1.

The Grizzlies trailed by as many as eight in the first half, 27-19, with just over seven minutes remaining. Hutchinson controlled much of the opening period, but Butler closed the gap to one, 42-41, at halftime.

Freshman Jaise Combs opened the second half with a three-pointer to give Butler its first lead since early in the game. The Grizzlies later built their largest advantage, 76-65, with 5:03 left. However, the Blue Dragons stormed back, tying the game 78-78 with 50 seconds remaining after a layup by Kyrell Shaw.

Josiah Kirkwood sank two free throws to put Butler ahead 80-78, but Shaw answered with another layup to tie it again. Devin Kerr then scored from the low block with 17.5 seconds left, giving the Grizzlies an 82-80 lead and forcing a Hutchinson timeout.

On the final possession, Butler double-teamed Shaw on the baseline, but Hutchinson found Bobby Cannon wide open on the left wing. Cannon buried the go-ahead three with 1.3 seconds remaining. Kirkwood's full-court desperation shot fell short, and Hutchinson escaped the Power Plant with the 83-82 victory.

Kerr led Butler with 18 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. Kirkwood added 17 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Xavier Brown contributed 12 points and six rebounds off the bench.

The Grizzlies shot 37.7% from the field and went 17-of-27 from the free-throw line.

Next Up: Butler travels to Pratt on Tuesday to face the Beavers in the Beaver Dome at 7:30 p.m.