WILSON, N.C. – The Barton men's basketball team (4-5, 2-3) suffered a heartbreaking 83-82 setback to Lees-McRae (7-3, 5-2) Saturday afternoon in a Conference Carolinas contest at Wilson Gymnasium.
Lees-McRae's Malik McConnell (Chattanooga, Tenn.) sank a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left which proved to be the game-winners as the Bobcats were able to withstand a late Bulldogs' rally to take the win.
Lees-McRae's Drew Gardner (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) led the way with a big double-double – 22 points and 14 rebounds – while McConnell added 19 points as the visitors shot 52 percent (31-of-60) from the floor in the win.
Barton was paced by sophomore guard
Malik Bryant (Fort Mill, S.C.) with 24 points and the Bulldogs rallied from a 75-63 deficit with just over five minutes left to take the lead but McConnell's two from the charity stripe proved to be the difference.
Barton sophomore guard
Trevon Spencer (Columbia, N.C.) added 18 points and four players scored in double figures for the Bulldogs despite the setback. Barton, however, hit just two-of-16 three-point attempts and missed 12 free throws in the loss.
Barton travels to Central, S.C., to take on Southern Wesleyan on Monday in a league game beginning at 2:00 p.m., while Lees-McRae plays Southern Wesleyan on the road as well on Tuesday, January 4, at 7:00 p.m.
