Pratt Comeback Falls Short at Buzzer

The PCC Men's Basketball Team pulled even with Butler with six seconds remaining, but could not force overtime as a Butler teardrop fell through at the buzzer on Saturday night. With the 74-72 loss, Pratt fell to 3-3 in the conference, 13-7 overall, while Butler improved to 4-2, 15-5.
Pratt and Butler went into the contest vying for third place in the Jayhawk West. Pratt held a five point, 34-29, lead at the half, despite shooting 36 percent to Butler's 46. However, Pratt had 9 points on threes to Butler's 6, and the Beavers put back 11 second chance points to the Grizzlie's 2.
In the second half, Pratt increased their shooting percentage to 45, but Butler upped theirs to 51. The Beavers outrebounded the Grizzlies 38-34 and had 18 turnovers to Butler's 15. Pratt did not do well from three point range, connecting on only 6 of 26 for a 23 percent average.
One that they did connect on came from Michael Tyler with a minute to play, tying the game at 70. Butler then made two free throws to leave 12 seconds on the clock. Pratt's Monty Gordon drove the length of the court for an uncontested lay-up to tie the game at 72 with 6 seconds left. Uncharacteristically of the Beavers, they allowed Butler's Tracey Underwood to drive the baseline and hit a teardrop at the buzzer.
Pratt was led on offense by Michael Tyler with 21. Brett Crittenden continued his double digit contribution as of late with 14. Tyrone Gordon also returned to double digit scoring with 13.
Pratt will travel to Hutchinson on Wednesday for a 7:30 match-up.