by Cory Guinn
WILSON, N.C. – The Barton College men's and women's basketball teams will play their first home contests of the 2015 season when they host North Greenville University Wednesday at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. in Wilson Gym.
Barton sports information will provide live stats and video for both contests. Women's links: live stats l video Men's links: live stats l video
Barton basketball fans can follow the Bulldogs all season on www.BartonBulldogs.com and via social media including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Lady Bulldogs vs North Greenville
Barton's women's basketball team opened up the second half of its season with a 69-47 victory over Lees-McRae College on January 3 before dropping a 12-point decision to King University the very next night on the road.
With the split, Barton is now looking to push its Conference Carolinas record to the .500 mark as the Crusaders of North Greenville come to Wilson. The Crusaders have also split their first two games of the new year, suffering a 34-point loss at the hands of nationally-ranked No. 9 Limestone College while defeating Converse College 82-53 less than a week ago.
North Greenville (67.8) and Barton (62.6) rank fifth and seventh respectively in the conference points per game category, while the Lady Bulldogs average 42.4 rebounds compared to just 39.7 by the Crusaders.
The Lady Bulldogs and Crusaders split last season's two-game series as each team won on their home floor. Barton pulled away for a convincing 84-54 victory on January 8 in Wilson, while North Greenville held on for a slim 101-96 victory in a high-scoring contest in Tigerville, S.C.
Senior Brianna Thomas had much success against North Greenville, averaging 20.5 points and 12 rebounds in the two matchups, while fellow senior Kaila Lea averaged nine points per game against the Crusaders. Lea and Thomas are both coming off of double-digit scoring performances against King with 18 and 13 points respectively.
Bulldogs vs North Greenville
The Barton men's basketball team has won three of its last four contests, including a 95-92 overtime victory over Lees-McRae College in its first game of 2015. The Bulldogs were defeated 111-95 by King on January 4 to move their Conference Carolinas record to 3-2 with a key matchup with North Greenville University on the horizon.
North Greenville comes to Wilson with an 8-2 overall record and s 4-1 mark in conference play, having won its last seven matchups, including a 120-65 defeat of College of Faith on Monday evening.
The matchup features two of the premiere offenses in the conference, with Barton averaging a league-high 87.9 points and 43.5 rebounds, while the Crusaders rank third in conference with 83 points and second with 40.4 rebounds per game.
Barton earned victories in both matchups last season, defeating the Crusaders 76-74 in Wilson and again 82-80 on the road.
The Bulldogs are led by freshman guard Danny Shand (19 points, 4.3 assists per game) and junior Jake Veasley (15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds), while the Crusaders suit up four starters who average double-digit points.
One matchup to keep an eye on will be in the low post as Barton's Dominique Byrd (9.2 points, 6.8 rebounds) and North Greenville's LaShawn Alexander (11.5 points, five rebounds) are now on opposing benches after playing together previously at Elizabeth City State University last season.
