Box Score
by Kevin Buczek
GAFFNEY, S.C.-Senior guard Jaren Haley scored a game-high 20 points for visiting Barton College in a 74-63 Conference Carolinas road loss at Limestone College on Saturday night in the Timken Center.
The Bulldogs (13-7 Overall, 5-5 Conf.) held a 33-32 lead at halftime but only shot 28.9% in the second half as the Saints (11-13, 4-8) rallied for a third consecutive win.
Barton was unable to overcome its worst shooting performance of the season making a season-low 30.9% of its field goal tries and was held without a three-pointer for the first time in 20 games this campaign.
Haley scored half of his 20 points from the free throw line going 10-of-11 on the freebees. All other Bulldogs were held under 10 points. Junior Evan Shelton led Barton's bench with nine points and 11 rebounds. Senior Gerald Boston and junior Keith Manley added eight points.
Barton held a 53-48 rebounding edge with junior Jon Hart pulling down a team-high 11 rebounds.
The first half featured seven ties and nine lead changes. A Haley hoop gave Barton a late four-point lead but Limestone scored the final three points in the final minute to cut the halftime deficit to just one.
A Shelton basket at the 12-minute mark of the second half evened the score for the 10th and final time at 47-47 before the Saints took the lead for good on a made shot by Jamal McNeill.
The Bulldogs only trailed by one, 58-57, after Haley made two free throws with 5:51 left before Limestone extended its lead with a decisive 9-2 outburst that was capped by Nick Debman three-point play.
Barton pulled to within six twice in the final two minutes but the Saints sank 7-of-8 free throws in the final minute to seal the win in a much closer game the final margin of 11 that was shown on the scoreboard.
Limestone took nearly twice as many free throws converting on 21-of-30 (70%) attempts. Barton had its best free throw performance in recent games going 13-of-16 (81.3%) but did not see much time at the free throw line with the Saints only whistled for 14 fouls.
Barton protected the ball well only committing eight turnovers.
Charlie Blue and Joe Raga each notched double-doubles for the hosts. Blue scored 18 points and yanked down a game-high 14 rebounds. Raga had 14 points and 10 boards. Debnam added 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
