Box Score
by Kevin Buczek
BELMONT, N.C.-Senior guard Jannetta Robinson led a trio of Barton players in double figures with a game-high 24 points in a 79-57 Conference Carolinas women's basketball victory at Belmont Abbey College on Saturday evening.
The win coupled with a Mount Olive College loss to Erskine College on Saturday has propelled the Lady Bulldogs into sole possession of first place in the East Division of Conference Carolinas with two regular season games left. The win also secured a home playoff game for Barton in the Conference Carolinas Tournament quarterfinals on Monday at 7 p.m. (opponent TBD).
Barton will conclude regular season play with two home games next week. The Lady Bulldogs host Pfeiffer University on Tuesday before entertaining St. Andrews University on Senior Night Friday. Both tilts are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. tipoffs.
Robinson scored her season-high 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting and 6-of-18 accuracy from the free throw line. Sophomore guard Nyeshea Willie followed with 19 points by swishing 8-of-12 field goals. Junior guard Faith Hunter added 15 points.
Willie handed out a game-high five assists and junior guard Elaine Morgan had four dimes. The backcourt duo of Willie and Morgan accounted for six of the teams 11 steals with three apiece.
Barton's pressure defense forced the Abbey into 24 turnovers that led to a 31-8 Bulldog advantage in points off mistakes. BC also held a 41-32 rebounding cushion with juniors Shante Neal and Jolanda Mitchell pacing the frontcourt with six boards apiece.
The Crusaders held an 18-14 lead midway through the first half before Barton used a 9-0 run that was highlighted by three consecutive hoops by Willie to jump in front for good. The Lady Bulldogs outscored Belmont Abbey 27-5 over the final 10 minutes to take a dominating 41-23 advantage into the halftime locker room.
Willie scored 17 of her 19 points in the first period. The Abbey shot 58.8% in the first half but took 23 less shots than Barton with 18 turnovers and 10 Lady Bulldog offensive rebounds.
BC kept a lead of at least 15 points throughout the second half and led by as many as 24.
Four Crusaders reached the 10-plus points plateau including Kelsey Long scoring a team-high 13 points, Paula Regalado and McKenzie Owen each pouring in 11, and Melisa Foures tallying 10. Owen had a game-high seven rebounds.
The Lady Bulldogs moved to 10 games over .500 at 17-7 overall and Barton improved to 12-3 in the league after winning its seventh conference game in its last eight games. The Abbey dropped to 12-13 and 8-8.
