The Barton Community College women's basketball team had its Fleske Fieldhouse debut spoiled Friday afternoon, falling 79–53 to 15th-ranked Grayson College in the opening day of the annual Best Western Angus Inn/Cougar Booster Club Classic.
The setback — Barton's second loss of the season to the Vikings — drops the Cougars to 2–3, while Grayson, which also defeated Barton by thirteen in its home Classic earlier this month, stays unbeaten at 4–0.
Barton will conclude Classic play Saturday with a 5:30 p.m. matchup against Redlands Community College, now 4–1 following its 76–31 victory over Colby Community College.
Despite scoring the game's first four points, Barton's early momentum evaporated as turnovers fueled Grayson's transition attack. The Vikings closed the final five minutes of the opening frame on a decisive surge, outscoring the Cougars by thirteen to take a 23–11 lead.
Grayson continued to add separation in each of the remaining quarters, stretching the margin to as many as thirty late while cruising to the win.
Regina Donanu led all scorers with 15 points, knocking down 3-of-5 from long range, while pacing Barton on the glass with eight rebounds and adding three steals.
Freshmen Bryndal Moody and Christal Long delivered career best performances off the bench — Moody finishing with nine points on a perfect 3-for-3 outing from deep, and Long contributing eight points and seven rebounds.
Grayson countered with a deep, balanced performance, placing five players in double figures while sinking 15 three-pointers on 45.5% shooting from beyond the arc.
Madison Martin led the Vikings with 13 points, while Tahlaya Biglow scored 11; both also dished out a game-high six assists. Joanna MacAskill rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points and six rebounds.