Butler Women's Basketball Dominates Hutchinson to Capture Region 6 Championship, Earn NJCAA Tournament Berth

GREAT BEND, KAN. – The No. 1 seeded Butler Grizzlies defeated the No. 3 seeded Hutchinson Blue Dragons for the third time this season, capturing their third Region 6 title under head coach Mike Helmer. 

The No. 1 seed Butler Grizzlies defeated the No. 3 seed Hutchinson Blue Dragons for the third time this season, this time with the Region 6 Championship and an automatic bid to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament on the line. The national tournament will take place March 24–31 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with Butler's seeding to be announced during Monday's 4 p.m. selection show.

The victory marks Butler's third Region 6 title under 18‑year head coach Mike Helmer, who previously guided the Grizzlies to back‑to‑back championships in 2019 and 2020. Butler improves to 32–1 on the season, while Hutchinson drops to 27–6.

Butler's 32-1 record ties for the best start in school history. The Grizzlies started the 2013-14 campaign 32-1 before losing in the Region 6 title game. Butler won two NJCAA Tournament games that season before succumbing to Chipola in the quarterfinals. 

After a tightly contested first quarter ended tied at 13, Butler completely took control in the second. The Grizzlies erupted for 24 points while holding Hutchinson scoreless until the 1:41 mark. The Blue Dragons managed just three points in the period, shooting 1‑for‑12 from the field as Butler built a commanding 37–16 halftime lead.

The Grizzlies extended their advantage to as many as 24 in the third quarter and pushed it to 25 early in the fourth. Hutchinson finally found some offensive rhythm late, outscoring Butler 21–8 in the final period, but the deficit was far too large to overcome as the Grizzlies secured a 57–47 championship win.

Sophomore Keegan Yarick delivered another standout performance following her 26‑point semifinal outing against Coffeyville. Yarick finished with 20 points on 8‑for‑17 shooting to lead the Grizzlies.

Butler's defense was the story of the night, holding Hutchinson to just 28.8% shooting from the field and a frigid 3‑for‑26 from beyond the arc. The Grizzlies shot 41.5% (22‑for‑53) and went 6‑for‑14 from three. Butler also won the rebounding battle 41–38 and assisted on 15 of its 22 made baskets.