Lady Trojans Show Fight After Slow Start Against Butler at Colby Event Center
January 17, 2026
The Colby Community College Lady Trojans were tested early and often on Wednesday night at the Colby Event Center, falling 68–55 to a nationally respected Butler Community College squad in a game that told two very different stories across four quarters.
From the opening tip, Butler asserted control with defensive pressure and efficient shot-making, racing out to a 20–7 advantage by the end of the first quarter. The Grizzlies capitalized on early turnovers and second-chance opportunities, while Colby struggled to find rhythm offensively despite creating quality looks. Butler’s guards pushed the tempo, and their ability to convert from both inside and beyond the arc set the tone for the night.
The second quarter followed a similar script. Butler continued to stretch the floor, knocking down timely three-pointers and finishing in transition to widen the margin. Colby battled on the glass and remained active defensively, but the shots simply would not fall consistently. At the break, Butler had built a commanding 40–14 halftime lead, fueled by balanced scoring and efficient ball movement that resulted in 13 first-half assists.
Rather than folding, the Lady Trojans responded with their best stretch of basketball after halftime. Colby came out of the locker room with renewed energy on both ends of the floor, tightening its defensive rotations and attacking offensively with purpose. The Trojans outscored Butler 21–18 in the third quarter, trimming into the deficit and giving the home crowd something to rally behind.
Jera Kruleski and Easha Potts helped spark the surge, combining perimeter shooting with aggressive drives to the basket. Colby’s ball movement improved, leading to cleaner looks, while the defense forced Butler into tougher possessions. The Trojans also controlled the glass during the stretch, finishing the night with a 28–25 rebounding advantage, a key bright spot against a physically strong opponent.
The momentum carried into the fourth quarter as Colby continued to chip away. The Lady Trojans outscored Butler 20–10 in the final period, showing composure and resilience even as the clock became a factor. Olivia Hultgren provided late shooting from the perimeter, while Dessirae Ulmer and Paishintz Booker helped anchor the interior on both ends.
Despite the strong finish, Butler’s early cushion proved too much to overcome. The Grizzlies shot 43.9 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from three-point range, while committing just five turnovers on the night. Colby, meanwhile, finished at 36.5 percent shooting and forced Butler into difficult possessions late, but the early deficit limited the comeback opportunity.
Individually, Colby was led by Kruleski and Potts, who each scored 12 points, while Dessirae Ulmer added 11 points and seven rebounds. Hultgren chipped in eight points and several key assists during the second-half push. The Trojans also received solid contributions off the bench, particularly in energy and defensive effort, as they worked to close the gap in the final two quarters.
While the final score favored Butler, the performance after halftime showcased Colby’s growth and competitiveness. Holding a nationally ranked opponent to just 28 points over the final two quarters is a testament to the adjustments made and the resolve shown by the Lady Trojans.
Colby will look to build on the positive momentum from the second half as conference play continues. If the defensive intensity and offensive execution displayed late can be carried into future games, the Lady Trojans remain well-positioned to compete down the stretch of the season.