Kirkwood’s Last Second Jumper Lifts Grizzlies Over Seward

EL DORADO, Kan. – Grizzly sophomore Josiah Kirkwood sunk a jumper from the right elbow with 1.5 seconds left to win it over Seward 94-93 at the Power Plant on Saturday afternoon.

MBB vs Seward | FINAL

JOSIAH KIRKWOOD WINS IT FOR THE GRIZZLIES!!!! Grizzlies defeat Seward 94-93!!!#RoarGrizz�� pic.twitter.com/Fg2H4TZ34J

— Butler Grizzlies (@ButlerGrizzlies) February 15, 2026

No. 17 Butler (18-7, 14-5 KJCCC) remains in first place in the Jayhawk Conference standings after the win over Seward (16-10, 11-9). 

Things started to look dim for the Grizzlies down the stretch after Seward took an 89-81 lead with a pair of free throws with 4:26 to go in the contest. Seward was held without a field goal during the final 5:01 of the game. Seward's eight point lead held until Devin Kerr hit two clutch free throws with 2:38 left to play to trim the deficit 89-83. Tristan Hankins, his first game back from injury after missing the last three games, made a huge three right in front of the Grizzly bench to take the lead 90-89 with 32 seconds to go. 

Seward would make two free throws on the following possession to retake the lead 91-90 with 23 seconds remaining. Devin Kerr then made a bucket from the low block to take the lead right back 92-91 with 15 seconds left. On the ensuing Seward possession, a questionable foul call sent Seward's Bailey Milligan to the foul line, where he proceeded to make both free throws. With no timeouts and eight seconds to go, Kirkwood raced down the floor and pulled up for a jumper at the right elbow for the win with 1.5 seconds left. Seward was forced to shoot a three-quarter heave as time expired that hit just left of the rim. 

Five different Grizzlies scored in double-figures, with Hankins leading the way with 21 points, five of eight from three. Tim Walker II added 17, Jaise Combs with 15 points, Kirkwood finished with 14, and Devin Kerr contributed with 13 points and seven boards in 19 minutes. 

Despite the loss, Seward shot 51 percent from the floor to the Grizzlies 43.3 percent. Seward was red hot from deep, converting on 12 of 24 attempts. Butler shot 12 of 35 from three on the day. Seward outrebounded the Grizzlies 40 to 29 but committed 26 turnovers to Butler's 14. 

Next up: The Grizzlies host a surging and second place Barton Cougars at the Power Plant on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.