Butler women win 73-42 at Colby despite slow start

COLBY, Kan. - The Butler women overcame a slow first-half start to record their 10th conference win of the season in a 73-42 road win at Colby on Monday.

Butler (13-5 overall, 10-5 conference) outscored the host Trojans by 26 points in the second half - including a 21-6 margin in the third quarter. The offensive output was a change from the first half, which saw the Grizzlies hold a 31-26 edge despite hitting just 23 percent (7 of 31) from the field.

Dakota Vann and Nakylia Carter each scored 13 points to lead Butler, while Raven Prince and Kyeria Hannah added 12 points each.

Colby lead after one quarter 18-16, but the Grizzlies quickly snagged the lead with a 5-0 run to begin the second quarter. Butler then broke open the contest with an 18-0 run to open the second half, taking a 49-26 lead midway through the third quarter.

Butler limited Colby to just five second-half field goals and held the Trojans to 27 percent (16 of 59) from the field. The Grizzlies, who forced 36 turnovers, were not much better offensively as they hit 32 percent (19 of 60).

The Grizzlies cashed in from the free-throw line, where they hit 35 of 56 charity shots. Colby managed just 7 of 17 from the foul line.

On Wednesday, Butler will play its third straight road game in five days with a 5:30 p.m. contest at Barton. The Grizzlies will then host Cowley on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.