COLBY, Kan. (BartonSports.com) – Down by thirteen and little offensive production, the Barton Community College basketball team turned defensive in Saturday’s comeback for a 54-49 overtime victory at Colby Community College.
Shooting just 13% and facing the thirteen point halftime deficit, Barton turned up the defense coming out the locker room to shut out the Trojans 12-0 in the third frame crawling to within one.
Grabbing their first lead on Charolette Delisle‘s long jumper to open fourth quarter scoring, the Cougars would eventually find themselves facing another big deficit of five with just seventy seconds remaining.
Regina Donanu‘s three-point play with 55 seconds left cut the deficit with Vivian Onugha‘s steal on the next possession giving Barton a chance to tie or go ahead. Working the ball inside, Onugha’s jumper tied it up but the sophomore’s bonus charity toss from a foul rimmed out keeping the score tied at 44. The Cougars produced another defensive stop resulting in a pair of chances to win it but those too missed its mark.
Going to overtime for the first time of the series’ 81st meeting, Onugha put up eight of the Cougars’ points but needed one more defensive stop in the final 34 seconds. Brittany Simpson stepped up to provide the play, blocking Colby’s attempted tying three-pointer with eight seconds remaining then securing the loose ball resulting in her pair of free throws sealing Barton’s 9th straight victory of the series.
Barton’s first road win of the season improves to 3-7 in league play and 7-9 overall while Colby slips to 5-6 in KJCCC and 10-7 on the season.
Next up is a two-game homestand beginning on Wednesday hosting Independence Community College followed by Saturday’s contest against Coffeyville Community College. Tip off time slated for 5:30 p.m. for each with the men’s matchups to follow.
Onugha’s 13th double-double of the season was compiled on a game high 19 points and 23 rebounds, 11 rebounds on the offensive end in following her program record 26 rebounds last time on the court to eclipse 20-plus boards for the sixth time of the season.
Donanu poured in 13 of her 15 points after halftime with Keyona Hall and Delisle finishing with 7 points each as Simpson added six points.
The Cougars controlled the boards, collecting 17 offensive rebounds and finishing with a plus-12 edge on the glass while committing just 16 turnovers in matching its season best ball control.
