By TODD MOORE
Barton Sports Info
Having already clinched a share of the conference title, Saturday evening at the Barton Gym the Barton Community College men's basketball team continued its greediness by winning its 19th straight in claiming the outright crown behind a 91-78 victory over 15th ranked Hutchinson Community College.
Barton increased its four-point halftime lead with an early 7-0 run to push the margin into double digits, keeping the Blue Dragons at arms reach the rest of the way to win its 5th straight in the series.
The Cougars improve to 22-1 in league and 28-1 overall while Hutchinson slips back to third place at 19-4 and 24-5 overall.
With one game left in the regular season, Barton wraps up play Tuesday in a 7:30 p.m. tip at Colby Community College. The Cougars will then have first round post-season bye in sitting a week before hosting quarterfinal action Tuesday, March 12.
Six Cougars reached the double digit mark led by Lajae Jones's 19 points and 14 rebounds, six on the offensive glass, to post his 12th double-double while dishing out a team second best 4 assists.
Ring Malith drained 3-of-7 behind the arc for 15 points while Cooper Jackson led Barton's 14 total steals in forcing 20 Blue Dragon turnovers with a career tying 8 steals with a 6-of-9 from the field including a pair of triples in tallying 14 points.
Leading the bench play was Brent Moss' 14 points and 8 rebounds, Myles Thompson added 12 points, and Mozae Downing-Rivers again posted a solid all-around game with a season best 12 points, a team leading 6 assists, and creating a trio of steals.
Valentino Simon's 11th double-double of the year led the Blue Dragons playing with its leading scorer Kamryn Thomas in putting up 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Kobe Smith and Russell Branch each added 13 points as Landon Wagler's 11 points helped Hutchinson outscore Barton's bench by five.
SERIES NOTES
- Barton has won five straight in the series
- Barton has won 4-of-the-last-5 against Hutchinson at the Barton Gym
- Hutchinson leads 29-26 at the Barton Gym
- Hutchinson leads the overall series 81-44
Record Book Watch
Cooper Jackson
- 190 career steals *2nd most – 129 behind Eric Bush's 319 (1999-01)
Mozae Downing-Rivers
- 342 career assists *4th most – 7 behind Brandon Hughes' 349 (1994-96)