Barton sweeps Colorado foes in Walnut Bowl Classic
The Barton County Community College men's basketball team has quietly put together an impressive run of basketball. The Cougars made it 9 straight wins with a pair of wins over Colorado teams at the Cougar Booster Club/Walnut Bowl Classic this weekend at the Barton County Gym. Barton defeated Lamar Friday night by a 66-62 count to avenge an earlier loss to the Runnin' Lopes. On Saturday the Cougars knocked of Northeastern Junior College by an 81-70 count to improve to 10-2 heading into the Jayhawk ShootOut next weekend in Coffeyville. In other action at the Classic, Brown Mackie lost to Northeastern 75-70 and defeated Lamar 117-110.

Highlights
Friday's game between Barton and Lamar was sluggish much of the way with the Cougars but especially in the 1st half. The Cougars trailed 26-25 at the intermission as they hit just 39 percent from the floor in the opening half. Barton did shoot the ball better in the 2nd half, hitting nearly 50 percent, but turnovers and poor free throw shooting kept the game tight. The Cougars hit just 15-of-29 free throws in the game and committed 21 turnovers. Lamar also had 21 turnovers on the night.

The Cougars were paced in scoring once again by sophomore JP Batista, who tossed in 28 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the floor. Justin Rose added 12 points, 9 board and 6 assists while Josh Rose had 10 points and 9 rebounds as well. Quinton Hosley led Lamar with 21 points followed by Torrey Phillips with 19. Lamar fell to 9-3 with the loss.

Saturday saw the Cougars get back over the 50 percent mark from the field, hitting 30-of-59 shots. Barton trailed much of the opening half until Joel Hannagan came off the bench and gave the Cougars a spark. Hannagan was 5-of-5 from the floor including a 4-of-4 effort behind the 3-point arc – a pair of the shots came from 25 feet and beyond. Hannagan ended the game with 14 points. Batista was nearly unstoppable in the middle for the Cougars, knocking down 29 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. The 29 points was the 2nd-highest for the sophomore from Brazil, topped only by his 32-point effort at Northeastern earlier this year. His 12 boards also ties a career-high for Batista who is in his 1st season with Barton County after playing with Western Nebraska last season.

Justin Rose did not reach double figures in the contest – the 1st time this year against a non-JV opponent – but he did contribute 7 assists and hit one very big 3-pointer late in the contest. Dennis Howard led Northeastern with 15. Northeastern fell to 6-3 with the loss.

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

Next
Dec. 5 – vs. Johnson County, 9 am (Jayhawk ShootOut in Coffeyville)
Dec. 6 – vs. Allen County, 3 pm (Jayhawk ShootOut in Coffeyville)

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