Grizzlies Take Down No. 19 Dodge City in Wild Finish

EL DORADO, Kan. – The Butler Grizzlies move into first place of the Jayhawk Conference standings after knocking off No. 19 Dodge City 121-119 in overtime on Saturday. 

The Grizzlies (11-5, 7-3) snapped Dodge City's (11-5, 7-3) three game winning streak after a gutsy performance. Dodge City led for majority of their first half, even taking a 46-33 lead over the Grizzlies with just over four minutes to go in the first half. The Grizzlies responded by going on a 9-0 run to trim the deficit 46-42 with two minutes to play. The Conquistadors led 56-52 heading into the break. 

Dodge City again increased their lead 66-54 in the opening minutes of the second half. Any time the Grizzlies made a big bucket, Dodge City would respond with a score of their own. The Grizzlies took their first lead of the second half 103-102 with 3:02 to go after an Aiven Riley layup. Dodge City once again retook the lead 105-103 after Andrew Mabry's and one layup, where he then converted on the free throw to complete the three-point play. After another Grizzly foul, Dodge City shot two more free throws to take the lead 107-103 with 1:47 left to play in regulation. Freshman Tristan Hankins was fouled on a two-point basket on the following possession and was sent to the free throw line where he sunk both free throws to cut the lead back down to 107-105. Hankins then made the game tying layup with 29 seconds to go. Dodge City turned it over on the final possession and the Grizzlies came all the way back to send the game into overtime 107-107. 

Overtime went back and forth. With the game tied at 119 all, Hankins found sophomore Devin Kerr for the eventual game winning layup with 10.7 seconds to go. Dodge City had one final chance to extend the game or win with a three, but the Conquistadors came up short and the Grizzlies upset No. 19 Dodge City 121-119. 

Hankins led the Grizzlies with 28 points on eight of 18 shooting. Hankins has scored at least 20 points in five of his last six games. Devin Kerr had his best performance of the season, finishing with a 26-point 10 rebound double-double. 24 of Kerr's 26 points came in the second half and overtime. Kerr also finished nine of 10 from the free throw line. Freshman Aiven Riley also contributed with 24 points on nine of 15 shooting, six of 11 from downtown. 

Dodge City shot a very efficient 54.5 percent from the field and were 13 of 25 from three-point range. The Conquistadors also shot an incredible 34 of 36 from the charity stripe. Despite the impressive shooting, Dodge City committed 30 turnovers on the night, which resulted in their downfall. The Grizzlies shot 44 percent from the field and were 14 of 42 from three. Butler shot 27 of 34 from the free throw line at a 79.4 percent clip. The Butler defense recorded 19 steals on the night. 

With the win, the Grizzlies move to first place in the Jayhawk Conference standings. Butler, Dodge City, Independence, and Seward County all sit at 7-3 in conference play, with the Grizzlies owning the tie breaker. 

Next up: The Grizzlies are on the road on Wednesday and Saturday this week. On Wednesday, the Grizzlies will travel to Concordia to take on the Cloud County Thunderbirds set for a 7:30 p.m. tip off.