The Barton Community College men's basketball team's comeback at the Power Plant fell just short Saturday as the Cougars dropped a 73-71 conference contest to No. 4 ranked Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas. Trailing by four at the break, nothing went right for the Cougars to begin second half action as Butler extended the lead out to eighteen in the first six minutes. Barton battled back to take a two point lead with 2:40 to play but the home standing Grizzlies responded with the next five points proving to be the difference down the stretch. The loss drops Barton to 2-1 in conference play and 14-3 overall while Butler remains perfect at 3-0 and 17-0. Barton returns to the Barton Gym for its next two games beginning with Seward County Community College on Monday, a game rescheduled from the January 3rd postponement, and two days later host No. 6 ranked Hutchinson Community College on Wednesday. Tip-off for both conference games scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Jalin Barnes provided a second half spark for the Cougars scoring all but five of his team high nineteen in the second frame to lead four Cougars in double-digits. Ahmad Walker also had a strong second half finishing with eighteen while recording his third double-double of the season grabbing a team high ten rebounds to go along with dishing out seven assists. Khalil Gracey and his 50% shooting from the field for thirteen points provided a spark off the bench as the freshman also grabbed four of his seven rebounds off the offensive glass while leading in steals with three. Knocking down 2-of-4 from behind the arc and scoring twelve first half points, Kenny Enoch cooled down to finish with fourteen.
Sophomore transfer Kyle Steward led three Grizzlies in double figures with twenty points, none bigger than his three ball from the deep corner retaking the Butler lead at 70-69 with 2:40 to play. Lamar Wofford added fifteen with nine boards while Chris Howell came off the bench to lead a 23-16 bench scoring advantage by recording a double-double with eleven points and eleven rebounds. Also coming off the bench, Caelan Neal led the Grizzlies in assists by dishing out seven dimes.