Downs makes game winning layup at the buzzer; Grizzlies move into solo first place in KJCCC East

With 3.2 seconds left in a tie game, coach Mike Helmer knew who he wanted to have the ball and get the last shot.

"We had two options for the last play," said Helmer. "I told Camille the girl would go under the screen so drive to the bucket and if T's (Tamara's) man helped off drop it off to her. The girl didn't help and Camille got to the rim and scored."

Butler moves into sole possession of first place in the KJCCC East with the 61-59 victory over Coffeyville at home on Saturday in the Power Plant.

It was a knock down drag out battle as neither team was able to go on a large run to gain an advantage. Butler led by nine early in the contest but was not able to hold or add to that lead. The Grizzlies trailed by as many as five points late in the third quarter and trailed 47-46 entering the fourth quarter. The game was tight the rest of the way out with the lead changing six times between teams and two ties. 

"We played better on the offensive end than we did defensively but made enough plays down the stretch to get the win," said Helmer.

RaVon Nero and Camille Downs led the team with 15 points apiece. Nero pulled down seven rebounds while Downs grabbed six and recorded three steals. Jelesa Gross finished with 11 points and three board, the only other Grizzly in double figures. Zayda Perez scored seven points and had three steals while Tamara Nard finished with four points seven rebounds and a block.

Butler out rebounded the Red Ravens 40-28 and forced 18 Coffeyville turnovers. They held Coffeyville to 37% shooting from the floor and 26% from deep. The Red Ravens really struggled form the free throw line making just 8 of 26 from the charity stripe. Butler shot 40% from the floor and 63% from the free throw line.

With the win, Butler (17-7, 10-4) moves into sole possession of first place in the KJCCC East standings, one game up of Coffeyville and Independence both at 9-5 in conference. The Grizzlies will host Cloud (9-15, 4-10) on Wednesday night in the Power Plant at 5:30pm.