EL DORADO, Kan. – Seward County Community College falls on the road to No. 18 Butler Community College 68-50 on Saturday night. The Saints shot just 16% from the field in the first half and could not battle back from their early deficit. Seward County falls 10-10 on the year and 6-8 in KJCCC conference play. On Wednesday, January 25th, the Saints will return to the Greenhouse to take on Colby Community College at 8 p.m. CT.
Jaden Martin led the Saints with 15 points on 7-14 from the field, five rebounds, and three steals. Wilson Dubinsky added 13 points, and Jaylin Henderson had nine.
The officials gave a technical foul to Butler before the game started due to the lack of a horn on the shot clock, and Dubinsky gave the Saints a 1-0 lead before tipoff. This was the only lead for Seward County as the Grizzles opened up the game with a 9-0 run to lead 9-1. After a layup by the Grizzlies, the Saints faced a double-digit deficit of 13-3 with 14:07 left in the first half.
Seward County’s offense struggled early and found the shots they were looking for but could not connect in the first half as Butler led 27-13 at the eight-minute mark. After a slam dunk by the Grizzlies, the Saints found themselves down 31-13 and continued to battle on both sides of the court. At halftime, Seward County trailed Butler 38-19 after a Henderson layup in the final minute of the half.
Butler extended their lead to start the second half with a three-pointer to lead 43-21 at the 18-minute mark. The Saints continued to battle, went on a 6-2 run, and cut into the Grizzly’s lead to 16, 51-35. Butler responded to take a 20-point lead,57-37, with 7:30 in the contest. At this point, Butler started using the clock and their offensive attack with ten seconds left on their shot clock and shortened the number of possessions.
The game remained at a 20-point lead for the Grizzlies as the Saints traded off baskets until the final minute. Seward County ended the game with a three-pointer by Henderson, and the Saints fell, 68-50, to the Grizzlies.
The Saints will look to bounce back against the Trojans from Colby on Wednesday, January 25th, at 8 p.m. CT, with Lewis Automotive as the gameday sponsor.