No. 2 Butler Pulls Away Late to Earn 73–60 Victory over Cloud County
EL DORADO, Kan. – The No. 2 Butler Grizzlies secured their 28th win of the season Saturday, defeating Cloud County 73–60 at the Power Plant.
EL DORADO, Kan. – The No. 2 Butler Grizzlies secured their 28th win of the season Saturday, defeating Cloud County 73–60 at the Power Plant.
The victory marks Butler's highest win total since the 2018–19 campaign, when the program finished 28–5 and earned a national tournament berth.
Despite a cold shooting start — just 31.3 percent in the opening quarter — the Grizzlies (28-1, 22-1 KJCCC) led 17–14 after one. Cloud (13-15, 9-14) edged Butler 16–15 in the second period, but the Grizzlies still carried a 32–30 advantage into halftime.
Butler found its rhythm after the break, outscoring Cloud 16–9 in the third quarter and 25–21 in the fourth. Although Cloud finished with a slightly better field-goal percentage (39.3 percent to Butler's 38.1), the Grizzlies controlled the game through free throws and turnovers. Butler went 19 of 26 from the line, while Cloud attempted just 12 free throws, making nine. The Grizzlies also forced 20 turnovers and converted them into 27 points.
Butler led by as many as 18 in the second half and placed five players in double figures. Ashley Singhateh led the way with 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Kenzie Galliart added 15 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore Keegan Yarick posted a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double.
After defeating No. 7 Dodge City on Wednesday, the Grizzlies clinched their first KJCCC regular season title since 2021.
Next up: Butler hosts Colby on Wednesday for Sophomore Night. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
