The Barton Community College women's basketball team weathered an early storm and a second-quarter surge before delivering the final punch Wednesday evening in Fleske Fieldhouse, rallying for a 66-58 victory over Seward County Community College.
Seward County leaned heavily on Avery Marchino early, as the Saints' standout poured in 11 of the team's first 13 points to establish the tone. Barton matched the Saints bucket-for-bucket in a 10-10 opening quarter, but Seward seized control in the second period, outscoring the Cougars 18-11 to build a 28-21 halftime advantage
Barton methodically chipped away in the third quarter, trimming the deficit possession by possession behind interior work from Mary Akinde and timely buckets from Regina Donanu and Mersadie Spray. Trailing 53-52 midway through the fourth, the Cougars found their breakthrough. An 8-0 burst, capped by Akinde's go-ahead finish at the 3:25 mark, gave Barton its first lead of the game at 54-53.
From there, the Cougars never relinquished control. Seward threatened to close the gap late, but Barton calmly sealed the contest at the free throw line, converting its final eight attempts over the closing seconds to secure the eight-point victory
The victory moves the Cougars to 13-12 in Jayhawk Conference play and 14-15 overall, while Seward County drops to 13-9 in league action and 18-10 on the season. The Cougars will enjoy a bye this Saturday before closing out the regular season next Wednesday with a 5:30 p.m. tip at Cowley College.
Barton shot 46.0 percent from the floor (23-of-50) and knocked down 18-of-22 free throws, including a perfect 8-for-8 stretch in the final minute.
Donanu led all scorers for the Cougars with 22 points while dishing out a game high six assists, scoring repeatedly during Barton's fourth-quarter climb. Akinde delivered her 12th double-double effort with 17 points and 10 rebounds, including the go-ahead bucket that ignited the decisive run. Spray added 13 points off the bench, and Christal Long contributed nine points and eight rebounds as Barton's reserves outscored Seward's bench 25-6.
Defensively, the Cougars limited the Saints to 33.9 percent shooting and held Marchino to just three field goals over the final three quarters after her explosive start.
Marchino was the lone Saint in double figures finishing with 25 points and team leading 7 rebounds. Destiny Alexander was next with 9 points and 7 rebounds while Kimora Fagan and Trinitee Holmes each added eight points.