Cougars fall just short at Butler County

Cougars fall just short at Butler County
The Barton County Community College men's basketball team came up just short Wednesday night on the road, dropping a 66-63 contest to Butler County at the Power Plant in El Dorado. Barton had a last-second shot to even the score and send the game to overtime, but the shot bounded long, giving Barton another tough loss in Jayhawk West play. Barton had chances to win the game, but it was Butler who made the plays down the stretch. The loss drops the Cougars to 4-9 in the West and 16-11 overall. Butler remained in the top half of the West and looking to get a home playoff contest in the opening round of Region VI by improving to 7-6 in the West and 18-9 overall. The Cougars will play their final road game of the season Saturday when they travel to Concordia to play Cloud County.

Highlights
The Grizzlies jump to an early 15-5 lead on Barton County and appeared to be on their way to an easy win. But Barton would not let the Butler win with ease this time around. The Cougars battled back thanks to some good 3-point shooting. Reggie Love hit a pair of treys and Andrew Emmons and Ivan Evans each added a 3-pointer as Barton trimmed the lead to 19-17 and the game was on.

Barton took its 1st lead of the game when Thiago Cordeiro scored with 3:10 left in the opening half for a 28-26 lead. The lead would change hands 10 more times before the game came to an end. The two teams went to halftime tied at 28-all. In the game's final minute, Barton took a 63-62 lead on a long-range jumper from Joel Stucky with 33 seconds to play. Stucky had his foot on the 3-point line, just a few inches from a 2-point lead. Butler recaptured the lead on a Corey Bailey hoop with 24 seconds to play and when a Reggie Love 3-pointer missed the Grizzlies improved that lead to 66-63 after pair of free throws with 3 seconds to play. Stucky had a halfcourt shot to tie the contest but the shot bounced off the backboard and rim before missing and giving the Grizzlies the win.

Love scored 19 points in the game and Stucky scored a career-high 14 to pace the Cougars. Shaun James continued his recent good work on the board, grabbing 14 rebounds. Bailey led Butler with 19 points. Barton will now travel to Cloud County – a team with West title aspirations – Saturday then return home next week for the final 2 games of the season.

Stats
Full stats can be found at www.bartonccc.edu/sports

Next
Sat., Feb. 25 – at Cloud County, 8 pm (Jayhawk West play at Bryant Gym in Concordia)

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Check out Barton County Basketball Online at www.bartonccc.edu/sports