INDEPENDENCE, Kan. - The Independence Women’s Basketball team were unable to cool off the 2nd-ranked Butler Grizzlies as they fell 75-44 on Wednesday night. 

The Grizzlies rolled into Independence as arguably the hottest team in the country with their lone loss on the season coming back on December 3rd, and showed no signs of slowing down on Wednesday night. 

The Lady Pirates battled for much of the first half, after surrendering 28 points in the first quarter, bounced back and held the Grizzlies to just 11 points in the second frame en route to winning the second quarter and cutting the Grizzly lead down to 12 at the half. The Pirates shot 60% from the field and from three in the second quarter. 

The Pirates were unable to continue the hot shooting down the stretch going just 1-11 from deep, as the Grizzlies bounced back like a top team in the nation would, outscoring the Pirates 36-17 in the second half. 

Independence finished the night shooting 31% from the field, 25% from deep, and 62% from the line. 19 Indy turnovers led to 18 points for the Grizzlies, while Butler dominated in the paint, outscoring Indy 46-20 from in close.

The Lady Pirates were led by Mimi White, who was the only player to finish in double figures with 11 points. Danaiya Stillwell-Smith pulled down a game high 11 rebounds, while Maddie Moran and Rylan Chandler each pitched in six points off of the bench. 

The Lady Pirates will get a bit of an extended rest, as they will have their second bye this weekend, before traveling to take on Seward County next Wednesday. The Saints defeated Indy 76-37 back on January 3rd.