Downing-Rivers posts first collegiate double-double as 22nd ranked Barton men pull away from pesky Pirates 100-81 #GoBarton

Closing out the final six minutes by a thirteen point advantage, the 22nd ranked Barton Community College men's basketball team shook off a pesky Independence Community College Pirate team Wednesday night at the Barton Gym for a pull-away 100-81 victory.

Facing an early seven point deficit five minutes into the contest, the Cougars used a 9-2 close out of first half action to lead by eight at the break. Independence stayed close throughout most of the second half, drawing to within four at one point but the Cougars responded in holding off the Pirates before owning the final six minutes for its third straight win of the series.

Barton improves to 3-1 in the Jayhawk and 8-2 overall while Independence slides to 1-4 and 3-8 on the season.

Next up for the Cougars is a tough two-game road swing beginning with a 4:00 p.m. tip Saturday at 11th ranked Coffeyville Community College (3-2, 9-2) before a Wednesday 7:30 p.m. tilt at conference leading Cloud County Community College (4-0, 8-2) who are receiving votes in the latest NJCAA poll.

Like the Barton women in the game prior, the Cougars also had two players posting double-double performances.

Mozae Downing-Rivers led all performers with his first collegiate double-double, chalking up a career high 28 points on 10-of-13 shooting, including a perfect three from beyond the arc and near perfect 5-of-6 from the charity stripe, and dishing out a new career best 11 assists.

Also resetting his career best, Joseph Locandro grabbed 15 rebounds in twenty-four minutes and connected on 10-of-16 shots including an early triple getting Barton off to a 5-0 start in posting his 6th double-double of the season concluding with 26 points.

Cougar Downing nailed 4-of-7 from beyond the arc towards a 16 point night while Hannes Saar began his 11 point contribution with a steal leading to a thunderous dunk for the night's opening score.

Alon Druker led just two Pirates in double-figure scoring with 25 points behind 6-of-9 long distance shooting as Kam Parker finished with 16 points.