Box Score
by John Hackney
WILSON, N.C.-Host Barton College used a 10-2 run midway through the second half Tuesday night to break free from visiting Pfeiffer University and score a 73-66 Conference Carolinas women's basketball victory.
The Lady Bulldogs, who won for the eighth time in their last nine outings, rose to 18-7 overall and 13-3 in the league. The three-time defending conference regular-season champs have a chance to claim another crown with a home win Friday at 5:30 in the Dog House when winless St. Andrews University visits on Senior Night.
Pfeiffer fell to 13-12 overall and 8-8 in league action.
Sophomore Nyeshea Willie paced all players with a sensational all-around performance for the Lady Bulldogs. She tallied 20 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and three assists. Willie's career-high 13 boards helped her capture her first double-double of the season.
Junior Faith Hunter added 17 points and three assists and classmate Shante Neal netted 10 points.
The Falcons got 14 points from Brittany Cox, 12 from Kellie Rhoney and 11 by Vontenea Williams. Pfeiffer hit 25-of-56 shots for 44.6 percent accuracy while Barton was 31-of-78 for 39.7 percent. Barton claimed a 42-41 rebounding edge and forced 23 turnovers while committing just 11. The up-tempo Lady Bulldogs had a 25-4 advantage in points off turnovers and a 24-0 margin in fastbreak points.
The game was tied at 2-2 and 12-12 in the early going, but Barton bolted to a 20-12 lead on back-to-back steals and layups by Willie, two Elaine Morgan free throws and a Morgan jumper. Barton led 32-26 at the break.
Two Williams foul shots pulled the Falcons within 36-34 early in the second half, but Barton responded with two Jannetta Robinson layups and a basket by Hunter to go up 42-34. Pfeiffer battled back within 47-45 before Barton put together the decisive 10-2 run. Willie drained a trey, Hunter completed a three-point play, Willie swished two free throws and Morgan cashed a layup to put BC up by 10 at 57-47 with 9:19 to play.
Barton's largest lead was 15 points with 5:35 left.
