Independence scores final eight points as Butler falls 85-77

The Butler men could not hold pace with Independence late, falling 85-77 to the Pirates at the Power Plant on Saturday afternoon.

Butler led 11-9 before going on an 8-0 with six points coming from Immanuel Allen. After a Juwan White jumper, Butler led Independence 23-12 with 7:41 to go in the first half.

That double-digit lead didn't last long and Indy tied the game with a bucket by Sean Pollock with 4:16 to go.

Independence would get a bucket with five seconds remaining and led Butler 32-30 at the half.

Butler scored the first four points of the second half to regain the lead. The Grizzlies would lead by six at 40-34 after a Juwan White basket with 17:20 to go.

Indy would answer with a 7-0 run to take a 41-40 lead. White hit a 3-pointer to briefly put Butler back in front 43-41. The two teams would go back-and-forth, and the game was tied several times, the latest at 77-77 with 1:47 remaining.

Independence would score the final eight points of the game to secure the win.

White led Butler with 16 points. Immanuel Allen and and Daviyon Dennis scored 14 apiece, while Tyrone Coley added 10. White also led Butler with seven rebounds.

Butler's loss snaps a four-game winning streak. The Grizzlies are now 13-7 overall and 6-5 in Jayawk Conference play. The Grizzlies will be on the road Wednesday at Neosho County.