Butler Grizzlies bounce back from their first loss of the 2023 calendar year, defeating the Cloud County Thunderbirds.

Story by Kalon Fullerton

Butler pulled away in the second half for a dominant 75-56 victory at the Power Plant on Saturday. 

Butler used a 22-point second quarter to pull away from the Thunderbirds, taking a 38-32 lead into the locker room. Cloud battled back in the third quarter, coming within four points. The Grizzlies ended the third on a 7-2 run, to take a nine-point lead into the final quarter. In the fourth a Syncere Harrod three pointer would extend the lead to double digits and the Thunderbirds would get no closer as the Grizzlies closed out the win in the fourth, stretching the lead to 19 points. 

The Grizzlies were led by Freddie Wallace, as the reigning national player of the week again finished with double digits, scoring 16 points. Wallace has now reached double figures for the 14th consecutive game after scoring 24 points against Dodge City on Wednesday. Freddie was joined in double figures by Randi Harding who scored 15 points off the bench, Maycee James with 12, and Syncere Harrod with 10. The Grizzlies flexed their depth in this one, finishing with 33 bench points. 

Butler shot 37% as a team from the field and hit five threes, three in the first half. The Grizzlies managed 34 points in the paint and 12 second chance points. 

Defensively, the Grizzlies finished the game with 14 steals, led by Jada Knight, Harding, and Wallace who each forced three. 23 points were forced off Thunderbird turnovers. Butler also won the rebounding battle, finishing with 35 rebounds, including 15 offensive rebounds. The Grizzlies were led on the glass by Dayuna Colvin, Wallace and Jada Knight who all had six, while Harding was close behind with five. Butler held the Thunderbirds to just 35% as a team and just 16% from three, as Cloud made just two of their 12 attempts from beyond three-point range.  

Butler improves to 21-4 on the year and are now 15-4 in conference play, bouncing back after a seven-point midweek loss at Dodge City. The Grizzlies also improve to 10-2 on their home floor with just three games remaining at the Power Plant. The Grizzlies will head on the road Wednesday for a game in Great Bend against the Barton Cougars before returning home next Saturday for a matchup with the Cowley Tigers.