Box Score
by John Hackney
WILSON, N.C.-The visiting Limestone College women's basketball team took over sole possession of first place in Conference Carolinas Saturday night with a 51-48 conquest of Barton College in Wilson Gymnasium.
The score was deadlocked at 48-48 with one minute, 30 seconds left. The Saints converted 3-of-4 free-throw attempts down the stretch while Barton misfired on several shots, including the potential game-tying 3-pointer from junior guard Nyeshea Willie with four seconds left.
The Saints, ranked 16th nationally in the USA TODAY Sports DII Top 25 Coaches' Poll, improved to 15-1 in the league and 18-2 overall with their 12th consecutive win. Barton, which had won 10 straight, is now 14-2 in conference play and 15-5 overall. It was also the Lady Bulldogs' first loss in the "Dog House" this season in seven outings.
Limestone, the reigning Conference Carolinas champ, got 14 points from senior guard Tia Williams and 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists from senior guard Stephanie Hayes. Barton, which dominated the rebounding by a 54-41 margin, got a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds from senior forward Shante Neal, 17 points from Willie and eight points, five assists, six steals and 12 rebounds from senior point guard Elaine Morgan.
Barton shot a miserable 22.5 percent from the floor (16-of-71), including 0-for-8 from 3-point range, and made 16-of-22 foul shots for 72.7 percent. Limestone cashed in just 18-of-51 shots for 35.3 percent and was 1-of-14 (7.1 percent) from downtown. The Saints converted 14-of-19 foul shots for 73.7 percent. The lead changed hands 11 times and Limestone outscored Barton 30-20 in the lane.
The Lady Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead, but Limestone rallied with a 10-2 run to lead 10-9 at the 13:53 mark on a layup by Ashley Robinson. Neither team led by more than five points the rest of the game. Barton pushed its lead to 20-15 at the 7:14 mark on a layup by Neal, but Limestone battled back to a 21-20 edge on four foul shots by Hayes and a jumper from 5-11 senior center Danielle Dixon. Barton posted a 7-2 run in the final four minutes of the half to claim a 29-25 halftime edge.
Limestone's largest leads of the second half were by five points twice, 40-35 at 10:36 on a layup by Hayes and 46-41 at 5:06 on a jumper by senior guard Maria Young. Nerves, and tough defense, got the best of both teams down the stretch. Barton was 1-of-10 from the floor in the final five minutes and Limestone was 0-4. Ten of the last 12 points came from the foul line.
A baseline jumper by Neal cut the Limestone lead to 48-46 with 2:56 to play. Willie tied the score at 48-48 with two foul shot at 1:27 and Young hit 1-of-2 from the line to put the visitors up 49-48. Barton misfired on a jumper, but Morgan came up with a steal and led the break, only to have Neal miss a pull-up jumper with 19 seconds left. Barton fouled Williams, who sank both with 12 ticks left, then the host called a timeout. Willie came free at the top of the key, but her 3-pointer rimmed out.
Barton next visits Pfeiffer University on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
