Grizzlies Drop First Game of the Season to Garden City in Overtime

GARDEN CITY, Kan. – The No. 11 ranked Butler Grizzlies fell to the Garden City Broncbusters 71-67 in overtime for their first loss of the season.

Turnovers and shooting woes down the stretch played a factor in the Grizzlies (9-1, 4-1) loss in overtime to Garden City (8-1, 3-1) on Wednesday night. 

The two teams were deadlocked 15 to 15 by the end of the first quarter. The Garden City full-court press proved to be beneficial for Garden City, forcing seven first quarter Grizzly turnovers. By halftime, the Grizzlies held a 30-26 lead. Both Butler and Garden City shot only 33.3 percent from the field in the second quarter. 

The Grizzlies were up by five, 48-43 late in the third but the Broncbusters nailed a three with ten seconds left in the quarter to cut the Grizzly lead 48-46 heading into the fourth. Halfway through the fourth, the Grizzlies seemed to be in full control, holding a 58-46 advantage with only 5:45 to go in the game. Garden would proceed to knock in four straight triples to trim the Butler lead to 61-60with three minutes left in the fourth. Garden's London Turner put in a jumper from the left elbow to take the lead 62-61 with 52 seconds left. Butler turned the ball over with 27 seconds left and Garden City inbounded underneath the Grizzlies basket. The Grizzlies full-court press forced a five second call to give the ball back to Butler with no time being taken off the clock. Grizzlies Destiny Smith was fouled and was sent to the free throw line where she made one of two to tie the game at 62 all. Garden City had the final possesion and Butler stood strong and forced a stop to send the game into overtime. 

Garden City took a 70-64 lead with two minutes to go. The Grizzlies did cut the lead back to three, 70-67 with 30 seconds left and had possesion. Butler shot a corner three for the tie but was well short and Garden got the defensive rebound, which forced the Grizzlies to foul with seven seconds left. Garden City made one of two free throws to take the lead 71-67 and to ultimatley ice the game, giving the Grizzlies their first loss of the season. 

The Grizzlies shot 41.2 percent from the field, and only 23.8 percent from beyond the arc. Butler also had 24 turnovers, compared to Garden City's 27. 

Next up: The Grizzlies will be back at the Power Plant on Saturday at 2 p.m. in a non-conference match up to take on Northern Oklahoma - Tonkawa in El Dorado.