Grizzlies Torch Colby with 122‑Point Outburst

COLBY, Kan. – The No. 19 Butler Grizzlies bounced back from Wednesday's loss with a dominant 122–93 road conference win over the Colby Trojans on Saturday afternoon.

The Grizzlies (12–6, 8–4) set the tone immediately, opening the game with a three from freshman Jaise Combs and never trailing the rest of the way. Butler's offense was electric in the first half, pouring in 65 points on 51.1 percent shooting. The Grizzlies took a 65–42 lead into halftime over Colby (4–14, 2–10).

Butler picked up right where it left off to start the second half, as Josiah Kirkwood scored an easy bucket just six seconds in. Colby found more rhythm offensively after the break, but the deficit was far too large to overcome. Butler outscored the Trojans 57–50 in the second half to close out the win.

For the game, the Grizzlies shot 52.3 percent from the field and knocked down 16 threes on 47 attempts. Colby shot 26-of-59 (44.1 percent) and made frequent trips to the free‑throw line, converting 34 of 45 attempts. Butler controlled the boards with a 42–30 rebounding advantage and forced 16 turnovers with steady defensive pressure.

Six Grizzlies scored in double figures. Freshman Xavier Brown led the bench unit with 18 points on 4-of-8 shooting and a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line. Aiven Riley added 16 points off the bench, hitting four threes. Sophomore Devin Kerr recorded his fifth double‑double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

With the victory, Butler moves into a tie for second place in the Jayhawk Conference with Seward County at 8–4. Seward holds the tiebreaker after winning the first meeting on December 13 in Liberal. The Grizzlies sit one game behind first‑place Dodge City, which is 9–3 in league play.

Next up: Butler returns home to the Power Plant on Wednesday to host Coffeyville at 7:30 p.m. The Grizzlies won the first matchup against then‑No. 3 Coffeyville 98–75 on the road. The Red Ravens enter the week one game behind Butler in the standings at 7–5.