BELMONT, N.C. – The Barton College women's basketball team (2-0, 2-0) used a second-quarter surge then held on to defeat Belmont Abbey (4-2, 0-1), 83-72, in an early Conference Carolinas showdown Friday evening at the Wheeler Center.
Barton senior All-American center
Shanika Peterkin (Virginia Beach, Va.) led all scorers with 28 points to go along with 12 rebounds while junior guard
Akira Wiggins (Knightdale, N.C.) added 20 points as the Bulldogs outscored the Crusaders by a 33-9 margin in the second quarter to take control en route to the win.
The Bulldogs held a 48-30 halftime edge but the Crusaders rallied to cut the deficit to three points – 73-70 with 4:05 left – on a three-pointer by Maria Kuhlman (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.). Barton, however, responded with seven straight points to put the game away. Kuhlman finished with 16 points in the losing effort while Brittany Autry (Mineral Springs, N.C.) added a team-high 22 points for the home team.
Barton freshman guard
Lauren Walker (Charlotte, N.C.) came up big again with 19 points and five treys as the Bulldogs forced 19 turnovers. Belmont Abbey is the defending Conference Carolinas Regular Season Champions and finished the year ranked No. 19 in the nation.
The two teams will play again on the same court on Saturday afternoon beginning at 2:00 p.m.
