EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
No. 14 Butler used a full court press and a stifling defense to frustrate the Seward County Lady Saints and defeat Seward in the Greenhouse 77-51.
Lady Saint standout Avery Marchino was held to just five points and was called for a technical after she was trapped in the corner several times and was tied up by the Lady Grizzly defenders.
The Lady Saints missed several shots close to the basket but could not find a way to get to the free throw line. Seward made three of four free throws for the game while Butler made 21 of 32 free throw attempts.
Seward shot 36 percent.
“We have to put the ball in the hoop and not settle for jump shots,” Seward coach Will Marchino said. “We have to continue to attack the paint. It was a little disturbing that the conference’s leading free throw team in both makes and attempts only shoots four free throws on their home floor. The opposing team only called for 11 fouls for as aggressive as Butler is, but it is what it is.”
Seward heads to the break at 10-4.
“We did ourselves some justice by playing a tough non-conference slate,” Marchino said. “We had several under the weather. We have to get healthy. We limped to the finish line. We need to come back in the second semester and finish strong.”
