Butler women win fourth straight, rout Neosho 83-48 on road

CHANUTE, Kan. — The Butler women won their fourth straight contest Wednesday night with an 83-48 road victory at Neosho County.

Ericka Mattlngly lead the Grizzlies (10-5 overall, 7-5 conference) with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Kyla Callins added 15 points.

Butler jumped out to a 19-5 lead after the opening quarter, as Mattingly and Callins scored six points each. The Grizzlies limited Neosho to just 15 percent (2-of-13) shooting in the first quarter.

The Grizzlies took their largest lead of the first half at 40-16 after Mattingly scored six straight points. The sophomore guard was fouled on a made field goal and added the bonus, then hit a trey with 2:57 remaining in the half.

Callins scored 13 of her 15 points in the first half, helping Butler to a 42-23 halftime lead.

Butler continued its dominance in the second half behind an opening 6-0 run to begin the third quarter on a pair of Mattingly field goals and an Awreona Ransom basket.

Vicky Duru's field goal in the paint with 37 seconds left in the third put Butler up by 30, as the Grizzlies took a 66-36 lead into the final quarter.

Butler ended the contest with a 12-2 run as Ciara Johansen made a three-pointer and Jaiden Easter scored a field goal in the final minute of play.

Butler shot 45 percent (29-of-65) from the field while holding Neosho to just 24 percent (15-of-62). The Grizzlies forced 33 turnovers and had 17 steals, with Deztinee Gooden leading the team with five.

All 12 Grizzlies contributed in the point column. Along with Mattingly and Callins reaching double digits, Jalise Smallwood, Taylor Birch, Raegan Sanchez and Vicky Duru scored eight points each.

Butler will return home Saturday to face Colby at 5:30 p.m. The contest will mark the halfway point of the 26-game conference schedule.

NOTES: The 83 points scored by Butler was the second-highest mark in conference play this season. The Grizzlies scored 87 in a 30-point win at Allen County back on Nov. 25.