By TODD MOORE
Barton Sports Info
A seven point halftime advantage Wednesday evening at the Barton Gym trickled away in second half action as the Barton Community College women's basketball team dropped its conference opener 59-43 to top ranked Hutchinson Community College.
The Cougars pulled ahead in the second frame to lead by seven at the break, but the second half was another story in the final twenty minutes. Hutchinson's stifling defense forced 15 second half turnovers and limited Barton to just 12 second half points to flip the tide in taking the lead early in the fourth behind a 24-point output.
The loss drops Barton to 4-3 on the season while Hutchinson stays unblemished at 7-0. Barton will next hit the road for a pair of games beginning Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. tip at Garden City Community followed by a Tuesday 6:00 p.m. tip at Cloud County Community College. Following the holiday break, the Cougars return home Saturday, November 30, for a 5:30 p.m. start hosting Cowley College.
Regina Donanu was the lone Cougar to reach double figures, scoring all but two of her 17 points in the first half. Vivian Onugha was held to just eight shots, shooting 50% for 8 points with 13 rebounds leading Barton to a plus-11 rebound advantage.
The Cougars shot 47.8% in first half play while Hutchinson connected on 32.1% but the final twenty minutes would see Barton make just 5-of-21 shots (23.8%) with the Blue Dragons shaking off a 33% third frame to bury 10-of-16 in the fourth quarter including 4-of-5 from deep for a final 40.7% overall shooting.
Barton committed 13 opening half turnovers keeping the scoring edge into single digits but the second half shooting and 15 more miscues for a Hutchinson fifteen point differential combined with a plus-20 point paint advantage sent the Cougars to its fourth straight loss in the series.
Three Blue Dragons put up double-digit numbers in their lowest output of the early season, Hailey Jackson leading with 13 points and 7 rebounds as Kahlen Norris and Brynne Katcher each scoring 12 points each.