Women's Basketball Ready For Regular-Season Finale at No. 2 Butler

The Colby Trojans women's basketball team closes out the regular season Wednesday (March 4) night as the Trojans head to El Dorado to face the No. 2 Butler Grizzlies in the final conference matchup before postseason play begins Saturday (March 7).

Colby enters the contest at 15-14 (12-11 KJCCC), coming off a loss in their final home regular-season game against Garden City. Despite the setback, the Trojans have secured a top-eight seed and will host the Region 6 Tournament opening game on Saturday (March 7).

Sophomore Desirae Ulmer leads the Trojans, averaging 14.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while connecting on over five field goals per contest. Easha Potts adds 7.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, giving Colby a solid inside presence. Freshman Olivia Hultgren has been a spark from beyond the arc, hitting two three-pointers per game and averaging the team's second-highest scoring at 10.7 points per contest. Guard Piri Lewis directs the offense with 3.8 assists per game and 88 total assists, while Jera Kruleski contributes on both ends with nearly two threes per game, along with a steal and a block per outing.

The No. 2 Butler Grizzlies enter the matchup with an outstanding 28-1 (22-1 KJCCC) and remain undefeated at home. Offensively, Butler averages 76.3 points per game while shooting 43.7 percent from the field and sharing the ball efficiently with 17.1 assists per contest, third in the conference. 

Sophomore Mya Mayberry ranks third individually in conference assists at 3.9 per game. Four Grizzlies score in double figures, led by Keegan Yarick at 12.0 points per game, while six players average at least one steal per game. Butler also dominates on the boards, pulling down 40 rebounds per contest with a massive +9.6 rebounding margin. Defensively, they lead the conference in points allowed at just 50.2 per game, ranking seventh nationally.

The Colby Trojans fell 68–55 to No. 11 Butler last outing in Colby. Butler built a 40–14 halftime lead with efficient shooting and strong defense, while Colby outscored the Grizzlies 41–28 in the second half, including a 20–10 fourth-quarter push. Potts and Kruleski each scored 12 points, with Ulmer adding 11 and seven rebounds. The Trojans limited Butler to 68 points, won the rebounding battle 28–25, and hit nine three-pointers, but the early deficit proved too much last time.

For the Trojans, the matchup is an opportunity to challenge one of the top teams in the nation while sharpening execution heading into postseason play. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in El Dorado, KS.