Box Score MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The Barton men's basketball team (5-0) continued its best start in six seasons with a dominant 97-63 win over Clayton State (2-2) Saturday evening to claim the 53rd annual Pickle Classic Championship at Kornegay Arena.
Five Barton players reached double figures – led by senior guard Zach Grant (Richmond, Va.) with a game-high 23 points and five treys – as the Bulldogs raced to a 51-29 halftime lead and pushed their advantage to as many as 41 points (76-35 and 78-37) midway through the second half.
Sophomore forward Isaiah Reddish (Durham, N.C.) added 20 points off the bench and junior guard Michael Boykin (Clinton, N.C.) scored 19 points for the Bulldogs, who connected on 10 treys and shot 54 percent (37-of-68) for the contest. Barton also held a 44-28 edge in rebounding.
Clayton State was led by Jaylen Taylor (Hephzibah, Ga.) with 19 points but the Lakers hit just two-of-17 three-point attempts in the loss.
Barton returns home for the start of eight straight contests at Wilson Gymnasium on Tuesday when the Bulldogs host Elizabeth City State beginning at 7:00 p.m. Clayton State next competes on Saturday, December 1, against Flagler in Saint Augustine, Fla., at 3:30 p.m.
2018 All-Pickle Classic Team
Barton - Bobby Stenborg
Barton - Zach Grant
Clayton State - Aubrey McRae
Clayton State - Kyle Kincey
UNC Pembroke - James Murray-Boyles
UNC Pembroke - Spencer Levi
Mount Olive - Alan Treakle
Mount Olive - Michael Brown
