Sophomore Night was a big success for the Coffeyville Red Ravens, as the women defeated Butler 71-62 with the men following up at 81-68.
The Coffeyville women had been the only team to defeat Butler heading into Wednesday's contest. The Grizzlies, ranked ninth in the nation and sitting at 19-1 on the season, proved to be a tough matchup early. Butler would lead for the much of the first quarter, although Coffeyville never fell behind enough to truly feel out of the game. Once the second quarter began, however, Makenzie Davis would emerge as the hero Coffeyville needed, hitting four threes in the second quarter to help push the Red Ravens to a 3-point halftime lead. The third quarter would belong to the Grizzlies, as they outscored Coffeyville 19-11 to reclaim a 5-point lead. But much like the first meeting between the two teams, it would be the Ravens who finished down the stretch. The offense would have its best showing down the stretch, with Amiya Josey and KK Lay adding on to Davis' previous efforts to help assist the Ravens to a 9-point victory.
Davis led all scorers with 17, with Josey adding 14. Coffeyville's women improve to 14-6 on the season and 13-6 in the Jayhawk Conference. Butler falls to 20-2, with both losses coming against the Ravens.
By comparison, the men's game was a bit slower, but by the first few minutes, no one would think that was possible. Butler would pick up the first points of the game on a three-pointer, but Coffeyville fired back on a 19-0 run to claim a lead they would never give up. The Red Ravens allowed only 22 points in the first half, holding Butler to just 30 percent from the field. Things would get a little shiftier out of the locker rooms. Despite trailing by double-digits, Butler seemed to make the proper adjustments, and dug into the lead slowly over the course of the half. The Grizzlies would finally push the lead back down to as little as nine, but the Ravens held firm and held out just long enough to eventually claim a 13-point victory.
No one reached more than 13 points in Wednesday's victory, although five Ravens reached double digts. Bostyn Holt led the way with 13, being joined by Tylor Perry (12), Markeith Browning (12), Blaise Keita (12), and Kevaughn Ellis (11). The men improve to 20-2 on the season and 18-2 in conference play.
Only the Region VI tournament remains for both teams. Depending on the result of Cowley's Friday matchup with Neosho, the Coffeyville men will head into the tournament as either the #2 or the #4 seed, despite holding the best record in the conference. The women's seed is yet to be determined, but unofficial standings have them at #6 and taking on NW Kansas Tech in the first round. Both teams will play at home, with game times yet to be announced. Stay tuned to KGGF and KUSN for further updates.
