Just a few days removed from dropping both against Independence, both Coffeyville teams were back in a big way Saturday. The women knocked off the previously-undefeated Butler Grizzlies 69-61, while the men followed up with a 76-66 victory of their own.
The Red Raven women knew they would be facing a tough challenge. Butler came into the contest ranked #6 in the nation and 13-0 on the season. Despite that, Coffeyville would come out with the same aggression as usual, repeatedly trying to get passes inside to Faith Simpson. Coffeyville would take a 4-0 lead, but Butler would punch back and eventually take an 11-8 lead after the first quarter. Both teams showed their defensive prowess throughout the first half, but soon the Ravens would find their mark from outside, including two consecutive threes from Martina Aeschliman. Coffeyville would hold a 1-point lead heading into the half at 31-30. Out of the second half, it seemed as if Coffeyville had no intention of backing down against the much-vaunted Butler side, holding a consistent lead and attacking the paint despite Simpson being held out with foul trouble. Eventually, Coffeyville's lead would become too much to handle, with the Ravens scoring the upset and handing the Grizzlies their first loss in 14 games. Paige Scott would finish with 19, a season-high for herself this season. The Red Raven women are now 9-3 on the season and 8-3 in conference play.
The men would come next, fresh off their first defeat against the Pirates on Wednesday. Early in the contest, that loss didn't seem to be on the mind of the Ravens, who jumped out to a 17-8 lead early in the first half. Butler would quickly embark on a run of their own to tie things up at 18, but Coffeyville would continue to keep themselves just barely out of reach from the Grizzlies attack. Love Bettis and Tylor Perry, despite not finding much from outside the three-point line, found their typical scoring through inside drives and mid-range jumpers. Coffeyville would lead at the half, 38-33. Butler would never let Coffeyville jump out to a comfortable lead, even into the second half, as the Ravens tried to pull away. Perry and Bettis would take numerous trips to the free throw line in the final few minutes, but made enough to take the 10-point victory. Perry finished with 19, while Bettis picked up 18 points. The Red Raven men improve to 14-1 on the season and 12-1 in Jayhawk Conference play.
It'll be a quick turnaround for Coffeyville as both teams take to the floor Monday against Neosho. The Panthers split their doubleheader on Saturday against Independence, with the women dropping that game but the men coming out on top. Pregame will start from Nellis Hall at 5:15 pm on US98.1, KUSN.
