Barton goes 1-1 in Pepsi Classic to start season 3-1 against tough foes
When 1st-year Barton County Community College women’s coach Lane Lord saw his schedule to start his inaugural season he saw four ranked team in the 1st four games. So when the Pepsi Classic came to a close at the Barton County Gym Saturday night, Coach Lord was disappointed with a loss to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M but couldn’t be too upset with his team’s 3-1 start. The Cougars fell to No. 17 NEO by a 73-63 score after knocking off No. 18 Moberly Area (Mo) Friday, 62-55. That gave the Cougars a 1-1 mark in the Classic and a 3-1 mark overall to start the season.
Barton goes 1-1 in Pepsi Classic to start season 3-1 against tough foes
When 1st-year Barton County Community College women's coach Lane Lord saw his schedule to start his inaugural season he saw four ranked team in the 1st four games. So when the Pepsi Classic came to a close at the Barton County Gym Saturday night, Coach Lord was disappointed with a loss to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M but couldn't be too upset with his team's 3-1 start. The Cougars fell to No. 17 NEO by a 73-63 score after knocking off No. 18 Moberly Area (Mo) Friday, 62-55. That gave the Cougars a 1-1 mark in the Classic and a 3-1 mark overall to start the season.
Highlights
The Cougars led for much of the opening half Saturday night against NEO but a 17-2 run midway through the 2nd half for the Lady Norse gave NEO an advantage the Cougars could not overcome. That pushed a 43-42 NEO lead to 60-44 with just more than 5 minutes as Barton could only muster those 2 points over the 9-minute stretch that saw the Lady Norse open the large lead. Barton was able to whittle the lead down to 9 points on several occasions, but could get no closer as the Cougars fell for the 1st time this year.
Shooting woes plagued Barton during the contest as the Cougars his just 36 percent for the contest, knocking down 26-of-72 shots and just 4-of-13 from behind the 3-point line. Despite the fact Barton forced NEO into 25 turnovers it wasn't enough as the Lady Norse hit 49 percent from the floor and out-rebounded Barton by a 47-34 margin. Viviane Nascimento scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to earn game-high honors in both categories for NEO. Barton was paced by Brianna Buchanan and Mayowa Onikute with 11 each. Vivian Ewalefo added 10 points while Sharece Love grabbed 9 boards to pace the Cougars.
Friday night, the Cougars picked up the win as their now trademark pressure defense force the No. 18 Moberly Greyhounds into 27 turnovers. Barton forced 17 1st half turnovers as they built a 30-19 on the Greyhounds. Barton led 20-19 with just more than 5 minutes left in the opening half before a 10-0 run to end the half gave the Cougars the 11-point cushion. Barton pushed that lead to 16 at 45-29. From there the No. 18 team in the nation began to chip away at the Barton lead. Moberly cut the lead to two points at 53-51 with just more than 4 minutes to play. But the Cougars did what they needed down the stretch, outscoring Moberly 9-4 down the stretch to earn the win.
Ewalefo led Barton with an impressive 13 points and 12 rebounds for the double-double. Nikya Hughes scored 14 and grabbed 15 rebounds in a losing effort for the Greyhounds.
Stats
Full box scores and stats can be found at www.bartonccc.edu/sports
Next
Tues., Nov. 16 – v. Cowley, 7:30 pm (Non conference game at Barton County)