Barton heads to post season on 6-game winning streak
The Barton County Community College men's basketball team survived a lethargic 2nd half Wednesday night at the Community Building in Colby, coming away with an 86-70 road win in Jayhawk West play to finish the regular season with a10-6 West mark and 4th place in the conference. Barton (22-7) has won 6 straight and 8 of its last 9. The Cougars are 10-3 since starting the year 0-3 in the West. Colby fell to 3-12 in the West and 7-22 overall. The Cougars will have Saturday off before hosting a Region VI 1st round playoff game Wednesday at 8 pm at the Barton Gym. The Cougars will most likely face Allen County in that contest but could still see Neosho County if Allen wins at Independence at Neosho loses to Cowley.
Highlights
The Cougars had a good 1st half of play Wednesday, hitting 58 percent from the floor and knocking down 5-of-11 3-pointers en route to a 49-28 halftime lead on the Trojans. Qa'rraan Calhoun and Matt Simmons each had a big half, combing to hit 11-of-16 shots for 23 points. A Chip Steven 3 pushed the lead to 21 at half.
Barton's lead never got under 13 points in the 2nd half but the Cougars were outplayed by the Trojans and outscored in the half 42-37. Barton still hit nearly 50 percent in the half, shooting 48 percent hitting 54 percent for the game. It was the 3rd straight game the Cougars have hit better than 50 percent from the field. The Cougars are up to 48 percent on the season. Barton did see its 3-game stretch of hitting better than 50 percent on 3-pointers end with a 6-of-17 effort at Colby. It was the 1st time in 5 games the Cougars failed to hit at least 10 3's. It also matched the lowest total in West play this year. Barton has hit 6 treys in a game on 7 occasions in West play.
Calhoun led 4 Cougars in double figures with 21 points and also led the Cougars with 10 rebounds for his 7th double double this year. He also had 4 blocks and 3 steals. Sandy Perry continued hit hot shooting of late, knocking down 7-of-11 shots for 14 points. It was his 3rd straight game of 14 points or more after not scoring 14 in his previous 16 games. Perry added 7 rebounds as well. Chris Jackson also scored 16 in the win. Simmons finished with 15. Javon Parris tied a career high with 10 assists while Steven added 6 and Scott Schneider 5. Everson Lacerdo had a career night for Colby. He entered the game averaging 6 points per contest and dropped 26 on the Cougars, hitting 11-of-13 shots and collecting 14 rebounds. Eric Peguero added 23, hitting 9-of-13 free throws.
Stats
Stats can be found at www.bartonccc.edu/sports
Next
Wed March 5 – v Allen/Neosho, 8 pm (Jayhawk Region VI playoffs at the Barton Gym in Great Bend)
-30-
Check out Barton Basketball Online at www.bartonccc.edu/sports