The Butler women gave the nation’s 10th-ranked team a tussle for more than 30 minutes on Saturday before falling to Seward County 86-73 at the Power Plant.
Butler jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the game, and after Abby Fawcett hit back-to-back 3-pointers, the Grizzlies led 30-27 with five minutes left in the first half. Seward, however, would outscore Butler 12-3 over the final two minutes of the first half and would lead by six at the break, 41-35.
Seward scored the first four points of the second half to lead by 10. Butler would cut the deficit to six points on two occasions with six minutes to play, but each time, Seward answered with a 3-pointer by Megan Lassley. Seward separated over the last six minutes of the game to again build its lead to double digits.
Butler was led by Desirai Smith, who had a career-high 18 points, making all four of her 3-point shots in the game. Paige Franklin had 16 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Abby Fawcett scored 15, 11 of which came in the first half. Seward’s Rachel Barnes led all scorers with 27 points.
Butler falls to 9-13 on the season and 3-5 in Jayhawk West Conference play. Butler will have a quick turnaround, playing at home again on Monday against Dodge City, a team the Grizzlies beat by 19 earlier this season.
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The Butler women gave the nation’s 10th-ranked team a tussle for more than 30 minutes on Saturday before falling to Seward County 86-73 at the Power Plant.
Butler jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the game, and after Abby Fawcett hit back-to-back 3-pointers, the Grizzlies led 30-27 with five minutes left in the first half. Seward, however, would outscore Butler 12-3 over the final two minutes of the first half and would lead by six at the break, 41-35.
Seward scored the first four points of the second half to lead by 10. Butler would cut the deficit to six points on two occasions with six minutes to play, but each time, Seward answered with a 3-pointer by Megan Lassley. Seward separated over the last six minutes of the game to again build its lead to double digits.
Butler was led by Desirai Smith, who had a career-high 18 points, making all four of her 3-point shots in the game. Paige Franklin had 16 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Abby Fawcett scored 15, 11 of which came in the first half. Seward’s Rachel Barnes led all scorers with 27 points.
Butler falls to 9-13 on the season and 3-5 in Jayhawk West Conference play. Butler will have a quick turnaround, playing at home again on Monday against Dodge City, a team the Grizzlies beat by 19 earlier this season.
