Box Score by Kevin Buczek
MOUNT OLIVE, N.C.-Barton College received strong contributions throughout its lineup as 13 Bulldogs scored including five in double figures in rolling to a 101-72 conquest of Bluefield State College to open play in University of Mount Olive's Pickle Classic Friday evening.
Barton picked up its second straight convincing road win in three days by scoring a season high 101 points on 51.5% (34 of 66) shooting accuracy including 9 for 19 (47.4%) precision from three-point distance. The Bulldogs also held a BSC squad that scored 104 points in its last outing to just 72 points on a much cooler 36.2% (21 of 58) mark.
Sophomore Kendall Patterson (15 points), senior Ryan Canoy (14), freshman Danny Shand (13), freshman Jaime Johnson (11) and junior Dominique Byrd (10) all scored over 10 points for the victorious Bulldogs.
Barton's bench outscored the Blues' reserves 53-9 including senior Khari Faison flirting with a double-double by finishing with eight points and a team-high seven rebounds. Sophomore Lee Baggett chipped in seven late points.
Despite losing by nearly 30 points, Bluefield State did put up a fight against Barton. The Blues held a six-point edge of 22-16 about 12 minutes into play on the strength of seven early points by senior Gary Martin and then six more points on three baskets in the paint by junior Mark Durgan.
Barton answered with a quick 17-1 run to regain control. Patterson started the rally with a 3-pointer while another trey by Johnson in the left corner put the Bulldogs ahead for good at 24-23. BC scored on its next three possessions including a Canoy layup and a Patterson steal and transition basket before Johnson hit another trifecta from the left wing. McClendon then capped off the decisive run with two made free throws that pushed the Bulldogs lead to 10 points (33-23).
The Royal Blue and White continued lead by 13 points in the final seconds of the first half before putting an exclamation point on the period and deflating Bluefield State's changes with five quick points. Faison had a one-handed tip-in as the clock ticked inside 10 seconds and then Shand stole the ensuing inbounds pass and made an off-balanced 3-pointer just before he fell out-of-bounds on the right sideline to send the Bulldogs into the locker room with an 18-point cushion of 46-28.
Patterson drilled another 3-pointer just moments into the second half and Barton maintained a comfortable double-digit advantage throughout the final 20 minutes. The Bulldogs shot 61.3% in the final frame and a layup by Baggett crested BC's lead to 33 points with just over 3 minutes left.
Barton passed the ball well recording 20 assists on 34 made hoops with Patterson, Shand and senior Daniel McClendon all dishing out four dimes. Shand, the reigning Conference Carolinas Player of the Week, also came up with a game-high three steals that all came in a much closer first half.
Byrd, Canoy, Patterson and sophomore Daniel Westbrook all grabbed six rebounds to add to Faison's seven boards as BC dominated the backboards 48-33.
Bluefield State junior Avery Holliday led all scorers with 24 points. Durgan added 18 points for the Blues.
Barton will play Virginia State University to conclude play in the Pickle Classic on Saturday at 5 p.m.
