On Monday night (2.3) the Butler Bears were hosting the Adrian Lady Blackhawks in the Bears Den for their Senior Night. This in-county matchup is always highly anticipated, and with it being Senior night, there was a little extra on the line. The Lady Bears had one senior, Adyson Clover.  The Bears and Blackhawks have faced each other twice so far this season and are 1-1, each team was looking to claim victory in the season series after the night. 

The Lady Bears won the tip and Carmichael hit Dubray in the low post to open the scoring up and give Butler a very early 2-0 lead. Engeman answered back with a triple for Adrian, gifting the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead. The lone senior for the Bears, Clover, would knock down a point blank shot after which the Blackhawks would go on a quick 14-0 run before Carmichael would go 1/2 from the line. At the end of one, the Bears found themselves trailing the Blackhawks by double digits with a score of 17-7. 

Depending on who you were rooting for in the 2nd period, you were either very excited, or ready to rip your hair out, as the Lady Bears were held scoreless, while the Lady Blackhawks put up 23 points. At the end of the half, the Blackhawks led 40-7. 

After the break, Dubray opened up the half with a basket and was be able to grab 3 baskets for the Bears very quickly and with a little help form Carmichael and Clover, the Bears were able to outscore the Blackhawks 12-6 in the opening 3 minutes of the half. Out of time out called by Butler, the Bears would continue to scratch and crawl and outscore the Blackhawks 15-12 in the quarter. However, it would seem to be too little, too little for the Bears as Adrain took a 30 point lead into the final 8 minutes of play, 52-22. 

In the final quarter, each team would see their bench get extended minutes as Adrian seemed to have the game firmly in hand. The Blackhawks walked away with a 59-28 victory. 

Essenpries led the Blackhawks with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists, while Engeman tallied 17 points, 14 rebounds and 2 steals and Dumas had 11 points and 8 rebounds. 

For the Bears, Kylee Dubray had 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 blocks. 

photo by ERIN DUBRAY