5 Score in Double Figures as Grizzlies Get Back in Win Column

GOODLAND, Kan. – The 24th ranked Butler men's basketball team snapped a two-game losing streak in a 78-72 win over Fort Hays Tech Northwest at Max L. Jones Fieldhouse on Monday evening. 

The Grizzlies (17-6, 12-5 KJCCC) used 40 points in the paint and 38 bench points to upend the Tigers (8-14, 6-12) on their home floor.

Six ties and 12 lead changes occurred in the game. Butler led for the first nine minutes of the game as Bubba Leavell fired off two three's within the first two minutes to help Butler build an 8-2 lead. The Grizzlies led until a Chase Harris three for Tech made it 22-21 Tigers a little less than halfway through the half. The teams traded leads down the stretch of the first half but a pair of Russell Branch free throws gave the Grizzlies a 43-39 lead heading to the locker room. Leavell scored 11 first half points to lead Butler, shooting 3-5 from three while Branch had four first half assists.

The second half was more ties and lead changes. Over the final three minutes Butler outscored Fort Hays Tech 10-5 to secure the 78-72 win. The Grizzlies used a 7-0 run to take a 76-67 lead before the Tigers hit a three to stop the run.

Both teams turned the ball over 11 times with the Grizzlies edging the Tigers out in rebounding 49-44. Butler shot 18-31 (58.1%) from the free throw line to Fort Hays Tech's (17-24 (70.8%). The Grizzlies were just 6-31 (19.4%) from three as the Tigers shot 11-32 (34.4%) from distance but just 28.9% from the field.

Emeka Opurum led Butler with 14 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. Leavell finished with 13 points while Josiah Kirkwood added 13 of his own off the bench as well as five rebounds. Rashad McCormick finished with 12 points and eight rebounds and Russell Branch had 11 points and five assists. AJ Pierre-Jerome tallied eight points and eight rebounds.

Tech was led by Harris' 21 points on 7-25 shooting.

The Grizzlies return to action on Tuesday vs. Colby at the Event Center at 6 p.m. as the game was pushed up due to weather in the area.