By TODD MOORE
Barton Sports Info
A turnover leading to a 9-2 start to Friday's third quarter sparked the Barton Community College women's basketball team to a 76-60 victory hosting Redlands Community College in the weekend's Best Western/Booster Club Classic.
Leading by five at the halftime break, Brittany Simpson's steal leading to a Regina Donanu jumper to begin the frame with another turning into her transition layup starting the fourth quarter helped Barton roll to a 45-point point second half outburst cruising to the victory.
Barton improves to 3-2 on the year while handing Redlands their first loss in four outings. The Cougars picked up another win Saturday, downing Kansas Wesleyan's JV squad 98-42. The Coyotes played the early game on Friday, experiencing an 85-54 defeat to the top ranked Blue Dragons of Hutchinson Community College.
Vivian Onugha dished out a game high four assists to go along with a monster double-double performance of 17 points and a career high 20 rebounds in tying for the 7th most boards in program history. Grabbing 8 on the offensive glass, Onugha's 12 defensive boards along with Simpson's seven and Donanu's six helped keep Redlands from any second half, second chance points.
In addition to the rebounds, Simpson added 7 points with 3 assists and game high 4 steals while Donanu contributed 11 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals coming off the bench.
Alaina Eck and Macie Smith each drained a pair of triples, Eck finishing with 15 points and 6 rebounds with Smith contributing 12 points.
Charolette Delisle posted a new career high of 10 points including a pair of And-1 opportunities with Keyona Hall and Emilia Borissova adding a pair of perfect free throw tosses helping Barton to a plus-5 point differential from the bench production.
Redlands was led in scoring by Mykyla Allen and Ellie Willard each scoring 13 points.
After shooting just 23% in the opening ten minutes, Barton shot over 44% in each of the remaining three quarters including 50% in the third frame to double up the Cougars of Redlands. The lead increased to 20 points with 3:05 remaining as Smith and Eck triples sparked a 12-2 stretch sealing the victory.