Butler Holds Off Coffeyville in Back-and-Forth 110–104 Victory

EL DORADO, Kan. – The No. 25 Butler Grizzlies completed the season sweep of Coffeyville with a high‑octane 110–104 victory Wednesday night at the Power Plant.

Butler has shown repeatedly that it can win the tough, grind‑it‑out battles that define Jayhawk Conference play. Coffeyville entered the rematch determined to avenge its earlier loss—an emphatic 98–75 Butler win on November 19 when the Red Ravens were ranked No. 3. This time, the matchup delivered a classic.

The game featured 15 ties and 18 lead changes, with Coffeyville holding a 58–56 halftime advantage after shooting a blistering 63.9 percent from the field in the opening half. Butler countered by getting to the free‑throw line, going 17‑for‑24 before the break, while Coffeyville finished 8‑for‑14.

Coffeyville built its largest lead at 78–69 with 12:28 remaining, but the Grizzlies responded. Freshman Tristan Hankins buried a momentum‑shifting three to give Butler an 85–84 lead with 8:46 left—a lead the Grizzlies never relinquished. The Red Ravens continued to challenge with their size, but key corner threes from Aiven Riley and Jaise Combs helped Butler create separation down the stretch.

Leading 106–103 with 45 seconds left, Butler drew a foul on Hankins as he attacked the rim. Cramping forced him to the bench, and Coffeyville selected AJ Pierre‑Jerome to shoot the free throws. He split the pair, pushing the lead to two possessions. Butler then closed the game at the line, securing the 110–104 win.

The Grizzlies outscored Coffeyville 54–46 in the second half. Hankins delivered 17 of his 21 points after halftime, shooting 5‑for‑10 in the final period. Combs turned in one of his strongest outings of the season with 19 points, including 5‑of‑9 from deep. Josiah Kirkwood nearly posted a double‑double with 17 points and a career‑high nine assists. Freshmen Amare Jones and Riley added 15 points each off the bench.

Butler shot 43.1 percent from the field and knocked down 15 threes on 34 attempts. Coffeyville shot an impressive 56.5 percent overall but just 6‑for‑19 from beyond the arc. Both teams committed 28 fouls, with Butler going 33‑for‑45 at the line compared to Coffeyville's 20‑for‑37 (54.1 percent). The Grizzlies' full‑court pressure proved decisive, forcing 20 turnovers while committing only 11.

With the win, Butler improves to 13–6 overall and 9–4 in Jayhawk Conference play, moving into a three‑way tie atop the standings with Dodge City and Seward County. Coffeyville drops to 13–6 and 7–6.

Next up: Butler travels to Hutchinson to face the Blue Dragons on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.