Poor shooting hurts Butler women in loss at Independence

INDEPENDENCE, Kan. — The Butler women had a six-game road winning streak snapped Saturday with a 66-56 loss at Independence.

Sophomore guard Raegan Sanchez led the Grizzlies with 14 points, while Ericka Mattingly and Taylor Birch had 12 points each.

A slow start hampered Butler (15-7 overall, 12-7 conference), who shot just 23 percent (7-of-30) from the first half and made only 31 percent (19-of-62) for the game. The Grizzlies also struggled from the foul line where they made just 12-of-26 attempts (46 percent). 

Meanwhile, Independence (17-5, 15-4) was hot from the field by hitting a 58 percent (14-of-24) clip in the opening half enroute to a 33-21 halftime lead. The Pirates finished the game contest making 52 percent (24-of-46) overall shooting.

Butler trailed 16-6 early in the first quarter before a 5-0 run ended the quarter to pull within five, but the Pirates managed to outscore the Grizzlies 17-10 to take a 12-point advantage at the break.

The Grizzlies fell into a deeper hole in the second half, but ended the third quarter on a 13-5 run which ended with a Sanchez bucket at the buzzer to get back within 10 points.

Butler cut the deficit to 56-51 with 5:40 remaining when Awreona Ransom made 1-of-2 foul shots, but could come no closer.

Butler will host Dodge City on Wednesday in a 5:30 p.m. contest at the Power Plant.