Cougars end Cowley 23-game winning streak; headed to Region VI semis
The Barton County Community College women's basketball team garnered a bit of revenge Monday night but more than anything moved themselves into the semifinals of the Region VI Tournament with an upset win over Jayhawk East champion Cowley County. The Cougars, who lost by 6 points to Cowley earlier this year in Great Bend, handed the Tigers just their 2nd loss of the season with a 59-50 win at the Bicentennial Center in Salina. The win for Barton moved the 21-11 Cougars into today's semifinal against Coffeyville (23-9) at 3 pm at the Bi Center. Cowley ended a memorable season at 30-2.

Highlights
Barton never trailed in the contest as the put an end to Cowley County's 23-game winning streak. The contest was tied on two occasions in the 1st half, the latest at 20-all with 2:49 to play in the half. Barton ended the 1st half on a 6-2 to grab the 26-22 halftime lead.

An 8-4 run by the Cougars to start the 2nd half set the tone and gave Barton a 34-26 lead. It was a cushion the Cougars would keep the margin at most of the night. Cowley whittled the margin to 34-31 but the Cougars fought them off. Leading by a 38-35 score, the Cougars got a spark from Brittany Ridley off the bench. Ridley started a 10-0 run with a baseline jumper. After a Trenice Hines free throw, Ridley knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Cougars a 44-35 lead with 7:36 to play. Buckets by Carly Bloomfield and Vivian Ewalefo pushed the lead to 48-35 with just 6:33 remaining in the contest. That would be the Cougars biggest lead of the game.

In a home loss to Cowley in November, Barton led the Tigers by 16 points in the 2nd half and still led by 13 with 9 minutes to play before blowing that lead. This time that would not happen. Cowley would trim the lead to 8 on a couple of trips and even got as close as 7, but not until there were just 23 seconds left as the Cougars handed the Tigers just their 2nd loss of the season.

Barton was led in scoring by Ewalefo, who tossed in 16 points – the only Cougar in double figures. Mayowa Onikute had a big game as well for the Cougars as the point guard grabbed 11 rebounds and handed out 6 assists to pace Barton. She added 6 points as well. The Cougars held Cowley to just 29 percent shooting from the floor for the contest and out-rebounded the Tigers, 44-39. The Cougars did play some kick the can during the 2nd half, committing 15 2nd half turnovers to end the game with 23.

The 59 points was the 2nd highest total given up by Cowley this season. Barton is improved to 18-2 in games they have limited their foes to 60 points or less with the 59-50 win.

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

Next
Tues., March 15 – v Coffeyville, 3 pm (Region VI Semis at the Bicentennial Center in Salina)