Helmer wins No. 200 as Butler women beat Coffeyville

Mike Helmer won his 200th game as Butler's head coach as the Butler women defeated Coffeyville 77-70 at the Power Plant on Wednesday.

For Helmer, it is his 200th win in nine years as head coach. Special t-shirts to commemorate the milestone were worn by team members after the game and they were joined by a group of former players on the court - including All-Americans Te'era Willams and Ashley Gibson.

Despite an earlier loss this season on the road at Coffeyville, Butler seemed to be in good position to beat the Red Ravens from the start.

Coffeyville did take a brief lead at 3-2, but the Grizzlies answered with an 8-0 run, including 3-pointers from Alecia Gulledge and Dakota Vann. Butler was up 24-13 after the first quarter and still led by double digits at the half at 39-28.

Coffeyville made a run early in the second half and eventually got as close as four points at 45-41 in the third quarter. Kendriana Washington hit a 3-pointed to push the lead back to seven. Coffeyville would get as close as six points in the fourth quarter, but not any closer than that.

Dakota Vann led Butler with 21 points, while Raven Prince had 20. Alecia Gulledge was the only other player in double figures wth 10.

Butler is now 21-6 on the season and 18-6 in Jayhawk Conference contest. The Grizzlies play at Neosho on Saturday and then return Monday to face Colby on Monday in the final game of the regular season.