Barton advances to Region VI quarters with win over Neosho
The Barton County Community College women's basketball team accomplished post season mission one – a 1st round win in the Region VI playoffs. The Cougars moved into quarterfinal action in Salina Monday with a 70-37 win over Neosho County Wednesday night at the Barton County Gym. The win will move the Cougars (20-11) forward in the Region VI bracket to take on the Jayhawk East Champion Cowley County (30-1). The two will play the final game of the day Monday at the Bicentennial Center, tipping at 7 p.m.

Highlights
Barton got off to a sluggish start to the contest, leading just 6-4 more than 7 minutes into the contest as Barton struggled shooting from the floor. The Cougars missed 3 layups in the 1st 7 minutes of the contest as Neosho stayed with Barton. But the Cougars finally found the mark, thanks in large part to freshman Brandi Harris.

Harris paced the Cougars on a 21-4 run over the next 8 minutes as the Cougars built a 27-8 lead on the Panthers. After the tough start to the contest, Barton finished the opening half with a 35-15 lead. It was a half that saw the Cougars shot 15-for-30 from the floor while holding Neosho to just 2-of-16. Harris had 13 1st half points for the Cougars.

The onslaught continued in the 2nd half as Barton built its lead to as high as 37 at 60-23 as the Cougars rolled to the win and moved into the Region VI Quarterfinals for the 1st time since 2001. That year Barton advanced to the semifinals before bowing out of the event.

Harris ended the game with a career-high 17 points – the only Cougar player to reach double digits in the win. Every Cougar scored in the contest. Mayowa Onikute and Vivian Ewalefo each dished out career-high 6 assists. The Cougars ended the game hitting 51 percent from the field, connecting on 31-of-61 shots. Barton held Neosho to just 10-of-43 shooting from the floor for 23 percent. The Panthers were paced by Kristen Donnell with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Stats
Full box scores and stats can be found at www.bartonccc.edu/sports

Next
Mon, March 14 – v Cowley County, 7 pm (Region VI Quarters at the Bicentennial Center in Salina