EL DORADO, Kan. – The No. 8 ranked Butler women's basketball team lost its second game in a week, falling 69-62 to the Independence Pirates on Wednesday evening.

The Grizzlies (13-2, 7-2 KJCCC) have lost two games since coming back from winter break, a loss to Hutchinson last Wednesday and this loss to Indy, their first two losses of the season. They now sit in third place in the KJCCC behind Dodge City (8-2) and Hutchinson (9-0). Indy (9-6, 3-6 KJCCC) snapped a two-game losing streak with the win.

Butler shot 2-15 (13.3%) from distance while Indy shot 9-26 (34.6%). The Grizzlies also turned the ball over a season-high 24 times.

The game was back-and-forth through the first three quarters. The Pirates took a 29-27 lead into halftime. Indy outscored Butler 18-14 in the third quarter, taking a 47-41 lead to the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was a quarter of runs. Indy jumped out to its largest lead of the game, a 16-point lead at 61-45 with 3:38 remaining in the game. Butler went on a quick 14-2 run over the next 2:48 and made it 63-59 with 50 seconds left. Ultimately Indy knocked down enough free throws through the final minute to secure the win.

Indy's Merveille Nkoyock scored a game-high 34 points, making 15-of-21 free throws and knocking down 5-of-11 three's. Morane Dossou added a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Pirates. For Butler, Freddie Wallace posted 24 points and 10 rebounds as well as four steals. J'unti Franklin had seven points and seven rebounds while Maycee James led the Grizzlies with five assists.

Butler returns to action on Saturday at the Beaver Dome, taking on host Pratt at 2 p.m. CT.