Box Score
by John Hackney
WILSON, N.C.-Barton junior point guard Gerald Boston snared a defensive rebound in traffic, was fouled and sank two free throws with 2.1 seconds left on Wednesday night to give host Barton College a 67-65 Conference Carolinas men's basketball conquest of archrival Mount Olive.
Playing in front of nearly 1,900 fans in a sweltering Dog House, the Bulldogs trailed for most of the game, billed as the Battle of the East II. However, Barton turned up the defensive pressure and played more aggressively down the stretch to secure the win. Boston took charge in the waning minutes, scoring 12 of the final 15 points for the Bulldogs, who are now 10-3 overall and 2-1 in the league heading into a home conference tilt with Erskine at 7:30 Saturday night.
Mount Olive, which has lost five of its last six games, slipped to 8-7 overall and 1-4 in the conference and will host Lees-McRae at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Barton led 7-6 on a 3-pointer by senior guard Jaren Haley with 16:20 remaining in the first half, but did not lead again until 5:46 remained when Boston scored a layup for a 58-57 edge. An Evan Shelton free throw was followed by a layup from MOC's Dory Hines for a 59-59 deadlock. Boston swished a 15-foot jumper, but bullish forward Craig Hayes pounded inside for a 3-point play and a 62-61 Mount Olive lead at 3:11.
Post player Joseph Velez dropped in a putback for Barton, but Trojan Jordan McCain made a layup on the other end for a 64-63 MOC lead. A Hines free throw with 2:01 showing put MOC up 65-63. Both teams misfired on their ensuing possessions, then Boston swished a left-handed floater in traffic for a 65-65 tie at 41.1 seconds left.
After a timeout, Mount Olive ran down the clock and passed the ball to Ewon Wright in the left corner. His 3-point attempt bounced off the rim. A mad scramble ensued for the ball and Boston wound up with it in mid-air. He signaled for a timeout as he was soaring above the endline, but the officials whistled Mount Olive for a pushing foul before the timeout with 2.1 seconds left.
After another timeout, Boston calmly sank both free throws. Mount Olive's desperation 3-pointer was off the mark as the buzzer sounded.
Barton shot worse than Mount Olive and was beaten 46-34 on the boards, but the Bulldogs committed only five turnovers, compared to 12 for the Trojans. Barton also outscored Mount Olive 19-9 from the foul line. Mount Olive finished 25-of-61 (41 percent) from the floor and Barton was 22-of-59 for 37.3 percent.
Boston finished with a game-high 23 points and made 9-of-10 foul shots. Haley, who left the game late with cramps, scored 16 and Velez had a workhorse effort of 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting and corralled eight boards.
For the Trojans, Hayes posted a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds. Hines tallied 11 points and seven assists and Mahamed Ibrahim netted 15 points.
