Second-half run helps Butler women past Dodge City, 75-54

DODGE CITY, Kan. — A key 30-4 run in the second half helped the Butler women pull away for a 75-54 road win over Dodge City on Saturday.

Sophomore Ericka Mattingly led all scorers with 22 points while dishing out eight assists and grabbing six steals for Butler (6-4 overall, 2-4 conference).

Leading 39-37 with 7:05 to play in the third quarter, the Grizzlies began their push as Jalise Smallwood hit 1-of-2 foul shots and Kyla Callins added a field goal.

Butler would close the quarter with a 12-2 run by getting to the free throw line, where they made 8-of-8 charity shots in addition to baskets by Vicky Duru and HaLee Roland.

Up 57-41 in the fourth quarter, Butler scored 12 straight behind three-pointers from Raegan Sanchez, Mattingly and Smallwood. The run gave Butler its largest lead of the contest at 28 points.

After trailing 14-13 late in the first quarter, the Grizzlies looked to pull away behind a 10-0 run on five consecutive field goals. Butler led by as many as nine points in the opening half, courtesy of the run.

Awreona Ransom adder 14 points while Smallwood scores 10 to give Butler three players in double figures.

Butler forced 23 turnovers and had 14 steals. The Grizzlies scored 34 points off of Dodge City's turnovers.

Butler will host 12th-ranked Hutchinson (7-2 overall, 5-2 conference) on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The Grizzlies then end the fall semester with a Saturday home contest against Cloud County.