Barton just misses out on 1st round upset of top seed
The Barton County Community College women's basketball team put a rather large scare into the Region VI's top-seed Coffeyville Red Ravens Tuesday night in the opening round of the Region VI women's basketball tournament. Barton led Coffeyville much of the contest and by as many a 6 points with 7 minutes to play before falling to the Red Ravens in Coffeyville, 64-53, at Nellis Gymnasium. The loss ends the Cougars season at 14-17 while Coffeyville (22-9) advances to the quarterfinals in Salina on Saturday.
Highlights
After falling behind 4-0, Barton spent a lot of the 1st half leading Coffeyville. The Cougars led by as many as 6 points following a Natalie Arndt layup with 10:13 to play that gave Barton a 19-13 lead. Barton held the lead at 21-17 with 8:39 to play following an Akia Harmon basket. Barton would then go in a dry spell over the next 6 minutes that saw the Red Ravens take a 24-21 lead. Coffeyville took a 27-25 lead into halftime.
Coffeyville bolted out to a quick start in the 2nd half, grabbing a 37-30 lead on the Cougars with just more than 3 minutes gone in the half. But Barton did not go away. The Cougars quickly answered with a quick 7-0 run as Carly Bloomfield and Saara Pelttari hit baskets then Pelttari knocked down a 3-pointer with 14:55 to play even the mark at 37-all.
The teams traded the lead until Pelttari knocked down another trey to give Barton a 45-42 lead with 11:47 to play. The Cougar would hold that lead for the next 6 minutes. It grew to as many as 6 points at 51-45 when Tarryn Montgomery hit a jumper with just more than 7 minutes to play. But he Cougars would score just 2 more point the final 7 minutes of play as Coffeyville rallied to avoid the upset. Coffeyville was able to get several putback baskets during the 2nd half, outscoring Barton 20-5 on 2nd chance points.
The Cougars were paced by Bloomfield and Pelttari with 14 and 13 points. Arndt, Harmon, and Briana Harris each contributed in their final game as a Cougar. Harris ended with 7 assists and 5 rebounds, Arndt 6 assists and 6 rebounds, and Harmon led Barton with 8 rebounds.
Stats
Stats can be found at www.bartonccc.edu/sports
Next
Season complete – Barton finished with 14-17 record.