Grizzlies wrap up non-conference play with 104-49 win over Bethany College JV

Butler got 62 points from their bench as the Grizzlies wrapped up their non-conference schedule with a 104-49 win over Bethany College JV on Friday night at the Power Plant. 

Juwan White and Zach Butler paced the Grizzlies in the first half combining for 20 of Butler's 49 first half points. An 11-2 run by the Grizzlies capped off with a Zach Butler three would put them up 43-19 under four minutes to play. A late Conner Jackson three-pointer gave Butler a comfortable 49-27 cushion heading into the break.

Butler shot 47 percent in the first half while holding the Swedes to only shooting 32 percent in the half. They forced 13 Bethany turnovers scoring 13 points off the Bethany miscues.   

The Grizzlies ended it early scoring 15 points in the first five minutes, doubling up the Swedes, giving Butler a 64-32 lead with 15 minutes to play. Conner Jackson drilled a three from the wing and Zach Butler finished strong at the basket, forcing a Bethany timeout call with 11:27 left in the game as Butler held a 75-35 lead. Butler finished the game outscoring Bethany 27-14 in the final ten minutes of the game to win 104-49.

Coming off the bench, Zach Butler led the Grizzlies in scoring finishing with 16 points and six rebounds. Juwan White and Conner Jackson both added in 15 points while teammates Payton Dickerson finished with 13 and Dylan Orr added in 12. Four of the five scorers finishing in double figures came off the bench and were non-starters.

Butler shot 54 percent from the floor and 39 percent from deep, while the defense held the Swedes to 30 percent shooting from the floor and 24 percent from three-point range. Bethany turned the ball over 27 times as Butler recorded 14 steals in the contest.

Butler (7-2) turns to conference play next week as they go on the road Tuesday, Nov. 26 to take on Seward County (5-1). Butler defeated Seward a season ago at home in a 60-53 win over the Saints. Tipoff time at the Greenhouse in Liberal is at 7:00 p.m.