Barton clinches Jayhawk West title with win at Colby
The Barton Community College men's basketball team captured its 1st Jayhawk West title in 6 years with a 97-78 win at Colby Wednesday night in conference action. That, coupled with a Butler loss at Cloud County, gave the Cougars the outright title, holding a 2-game lead with just 1 game to play. Barton is now 12-3 in the Jayhawk and 25-4 overall. Colby finishes its season with a 5-25 overall mark and a 3-13 West record. Colby will miss the Region VI playoffs. The win secured the top spot from the West for Barton in the playoffs as well. The Cougars will open post season play 8 pm Tuesday against Labette at the Barton Gym. Barton will conclude its regular season Saturday when Pratt comes in for Homecoming.
Highlights
After trading the lead in the opening 13 minutes, the Cougars grabbed a 32-31 lead on a Matt Simmons basket with 6:56 to play. Barton never trailed after that. The Simmons basket started an 8-0 run that saw Marcus Butler score the final two baskets for a 38-31 lead. Barton had the lead as high as 10 once in the half and went to intermission with a 49-44 lead.
Colby trimmed the lead as low as 3 early in the 2nd half but runs of 10-2 and 12-2 during the half pushed the lead to 87-67 with 6:22 left on a Corey Bingham tip-in. The Cougars biggest lead was 21. Barton dominated the paint against the smaller Trojans, scoring 62 points in the paint and winning the rebound war 45-38. Barton also shot a 55 percent from the floor.
Nyika Williams continued to pace Barton, leading the Cougars with 23 on 11-of-15 shooting. He was one of 5 Barton players in double figures. A pair of Cougars recorded double-double with Simmons collecting his 1st of the season with season-high marks of 10 points and 13 rebounds. Bingham had his 2nd straight double-double of points and assists with 15 points and 12 assists. He has 4 double-doubles this year – three with points and assists and one with points and rebounds. Chip Steven had a big game for Barton, knocking down 7 3-pointers in the win for 21 points – his highest scoring output in 6 games. Butler posted his best scoring night in conference play for the Cougars with 15 points. Colby was led by Shamar Acuay – the leading scorer in the West – with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Arius Stephenson added 20.
Barton will wrap up its regular season play Saturday night when Pratt comes to town for the Jayhawk West finale. While Barton has secured the West title and Region VI top seed, Pratt is battling for a home playoff spot. Tip for the game will be 8 pm at the Barton Gym.
The Cougars final home game – and opening round Region VI playoff game – will be Tuesday when Barton will host Labette. Labette has concluded its regular season with a 7-23 record. Barton has beaten Labette twice this season – a 114-72 win in Great Bend during the Sunflower Bank Classic and a 101-56 win at the Shoot Out.
Stats
Stats can be found at www.bartonccc.edu/sports
Next
Feb 28 – v Pratt 8 pm (Jayhawk West contest at the Barton Gym in Great Bend)
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Check out Barton Basketball Online at www.bartonccc.edu/sports