Box Score by Kevin Buczek
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.-Elizabeth City State University clung to a single-digit lead throughout the second half in edging Barton College, 56-55, in NCAA Division II women's basketball action on Wednesday evening in the RL Vaughan Center.
The Lady Bulldogs outscored the Lady Vikings, 30-26, over the final 20 minutes but were unable to overcome a poor shooting first half. BC shot an icy 26.5% in the opening period but heated up to 44% in the final frame to finish at 33.9% (20-59) accuracy. ECSU made 11 hoops in both halves to fire at 38.6% (22-of-57).
Elizabeth City State (1-3 overall) picked up its first win and Barton (2-3) slipped back under .500.
Senior guard Nyeshea Willie posted game-high totals of 17 points and five assists for the Royal Blue and White. Her final assist came on a junior Ashley Thornton three-pointer with 2.8 seconds left to cut the deficit to one point but the Lady Bulldogs were unable to get a foul call with full-court pressure on the ensuing inbounds play before the final buzzer.
Thornton bucketed 12 points and freshman guard Tiffany Webster matched her with a season-best 12 points. They each hit two 3-pointers but Barton still finished just 4 of 16 (25%) from behind the arc.
Senior Derricka Henry poured in a team-high 15 points for the victors including a big three-pointer with just over six-minutes left in regulation to keep the Vikings in front.
A freshman Caila Carter offensive rebound and layup pulled the Lady Bulldogs to within one, 47-46, before Henry took her step-back trey from the left wing. A Barton turnover followed by a senior Ya'Shonti Bridgers putback extended the hosts advantage to six at 52-46.
The Lady Bulldogs closed the gap to two on a Carter lay-in and two free throws by Willie but a sophomore Ashley Hughes' layup on a nice pass inside from Bridgers kept ECSU's cushion at four points, 56-52, heading into the final minute. Barton had a couple chances to pull within one point but a pair of turnovers proved too costly before Thornton hit her late desperation 3-pointer.
Barton finished with a slight 41-40 rebounding edge while both squads pulled down 15 offensive boards. However, the Vikings took better advantage of the offensive rebounds outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 21-10 on second-chance points.
Bridgers posted a double-double for ECSU with 12 points and 10 rebunds. Barton junior Brianna Thomas matched Bridgers by snaring team-best 10 rebounds.
Three-pointers by Thornton and Webster gave BC early leads of 7-4 and 10-7 before Elizabeth City State took the lead for the final 30 minutes. Tied at 12-12, junior Jasmine Boyd put the Vikings ahead for good with a layup at the midway point of the half. A junior Dashera Boone trifecta at the 5:43 mark finished off a 14-4 run to give ECSU its largest lead of 10, 26-16. Barton fought back and cut the deficit in half, 30-25, with a 9-4 rally that was capped by a Willie steal and fast-break layup.
Boone scored eight of her 11 points in the first period to help Elizabeth City State take a five-point lead into the locker room.
Webster's second 3-pointer with 17:34 left inched Barton to within one point for the first of three times in the second half at 33-32. ECSU followed with a 9-2 outburst to strengthen its lead to eight points before hanging on down the stretch.
Carter and Thomas provided the Lady Bulldogs with six points apiece. Carter also had six boards.
BC entered play averaging over eight steals per game but were only able to come up with four thefts against a patient and protective offense. Both teams finished with 14 turnovers.
Barton will try and remain unbeaten at home when the Lady Bulldogs host Chowan University on Saturday at 2 p.m.
