A stat sheet filled with season lows put the 21st ranked Barton Community College men's basketball team behind the eight ball as missed opportunities added up resulting in a 66-60 Tuesday evening loss to Cowley College at the Barton Gym.
Shooting a season low 31% including just 4-of-24 from beyond the arc, coming off its six day lay-off Barton added to its troubles committing a season most 20 turnovers, six coming in a pivotal seven minute stretch.
Despite the woes, Barton battled back from a thirteen point second half deficit and had a six-pack of opportunities to tie or take the lead. To Cowley's credit, the Tigers held firm in never allowing the Cougars to tie or take the lead for the forty minutes of action and buried timely shots when needed to win their third game in the last four on the Cougars' home court.
Barton drops to 1-1 in conference play and 6-2 on the season while Cowley picks up their first conference win in its tough schedule start improving to 1-2 and 6-2 overall.
Following the Thanksgiving break, the Cougars get back to preparation for a Saturday 7:30 p.m. tip at 9th ranked Hutchinson Community College.
After posting his first collegiate double-double last time on the court, Hannes Saar posted his second straight in leading the Cougars with 13 points and 10 rebounds including 4 on the offensive glass. Cougar Downing added 12 points to eclipse 1000 points in his Neosho County to Barton career, while cousin Mozae Downing-Rivers added 11 points and 5 rebounds.
Mekhi Cameron led all players with 22 points, burying 3-of-5 behind the arc including a big-time closely guarded trey in front of bench for a then four point lead a dagger of a trey with 3:38 remaining and five seconds on the shot clocking building an eight point cushion. Raishaun Brown was the only other Tiger in double digits by adding ten points.
Cowley didn't shoot much better than the Cougars at 38.7% but the Tigers knocked down three more treys and had a five point edge in points off turnovers. The Tigers also won the battle of the boards by two to gain another two point edge in second chance points, snapping Barton's ten game outrebounding streak over an opponent dating back to last season.