WILSON, N.C. – The Barton women's basketball team (6-1, 2-1) suffered its first loss of the year in a 78-74 setback to Belmont Abbey (4-3, 2-1) Saturday afternoon in a Conference Carolinas game at Wilson Gymnasium.
Belmont Abbey's Jo Snow (Mount Airy, N.C.) led all scorers with 21 points and was one of four players to score in double figures for the Crusaders, who recovered after falling behind by a 20-10 score after one quarter of play.
Barton, ranked No. 17 in NCAA Division II, was paced by senior guard
Akira Wiggins (Knightdale, N.C.) with 20 points while sophomore guard
Lauren Walker (Charlotte, N.C.) added 18 points but the Bulldogs saw their 19-game home winning streak dating back two years at Wilson Gymnasium come to an end.
With the score knotted at 63 at the 4:47 mark of the fourth quarter, Abigail Crain (Windermere, Fla.) hit the game-winning trey and Belmont Abbey was able to hold on the rest of the way. Barton senior center and All-American
Shanika Peterkin (Virginia Beach, Va.) added 17 points and grabbed eight boards in the losing effort.
The Crusaders also held a 42-30 edge in rebounding and finished the game shooting 54 percent (29-of-54) from the field. Both teams had four players in double figures as well.
Barton hits the road to take on Chowan in Murfreesboro, N.C., on Tuesday in a league game beginning at 5:00 p.m., while Belmont Abbey hosts Emmanuel next Saturday, December 11, at 5:00 p.m.
