WILSON, N.C. – The Barton College men's basketball team (2-4, 2-4) fought hard but fell in the end to Lees-McRae (4-0, 4-0), 83-79, Saturday afternoon in Conference Carolinas action inside the confines of Wilson Gymnasium.
Four players scored in double figures for the Bobcats – led by Justin Nicholson (Boynton Beach, Fla.) with 16 points – as the visitors remained unbeaten on the season. Lees-McRae was able to hold off Barton thanks to its three-point performance in the second half as the Bobcats hit seven of their eight treys after intermission.
Barton senior forward
Isaiah Reddish (Durham, N.C.), in just his second game back this season, scored 22 points for the second time in as many contests to go along with 11 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs despite the loss. Barton freshman guard
Marcus Boykin (Clinton, N.C.) also got into the action, totaling 17 points and 10 boards but the Bulldogs saw their two-game winning streak snapped.
Lees-McRae's Timon Jones (Richmond, Va.) hit the game-winning three with 1:36 left for a 78-76 advantage and the Bobcats held on the rest of the way. Lees-McRae also shot 56 percent (15-of-27) in the second half from the floor. Barton hit 26-of-36 free throw attempts and got 16 points from senior guard
David Campbell (Severn, Md.) in the losing effort.
In the next round of Conference Carolinas games on Tuesday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m., Barton hosts Chowan while Lees-McRae faces King on the road in Bristol, Tenn.
