WILSON, N.C. – The Barton men's basketball team (0-1) fell to Columbus State (1-0) by an 85-76 score in the 2021-22 season opener as part of the Bulldogs' annual 45 Second Classic Friday night at Wilson Gymnasium.
The Cougars' Christian Chambers (Augusta, Ga.) led all scorers with 24 points while Langston Gaither (Alexandria, Va.) added 20 points as the visitors shot 50 percent (31-of-62) from the floor in the win. Columbus State also hit 18-of-24 free throw attempts and blocked six shots in the triumph.
Barton was led by sophomore guard
Donaven Hairston (Atlanta, Ga.) with a team-high 20 points and sophomore guard
Malik Bryant (Fort Mill, S.C.) added 12 points in the setback.
Holding a 64-63 advantage with 9:03 remaining in the contest, Gaither hit a three-pointer which started a 10-2 run and concluded the spurt with a lay-up to give Columbus State control the rest of the way. The Cougars' Nelson Haskin (Demopolis, Ala.) added five points with 14 rebounds and five blocks to spearhead the defense.
Barton also hit just six-of-24 three-point attempts while Columbus State held a 38-33 edge in rebounding.
On the final day Saturday, Barton will take on Augusta (1-0) at 1:00 p.m., after Mount Olive (0-1) faces Columbus State (1-0) in the first contest at 11:00 a.m. Augusta downed Mount Olive by an 83-65 score in the first game Friday of the 45 Second Classic.
