PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Barton women's basketball team (11-1, 7-1), ranked No. 23 in NCAA Division II, won its fifth straight game with a 59-50 victory over UNC Pembroke (9-5, 7-3) Thursday evening in a Conference Carolinas showdown at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.
Barton sophomore guard
Lauren Walker (Charlotte, N.C.) finished with a team-high 18 points while senior center
Shanika Peterkin (Virginia Beach, Va.), the four-time league defensive player of the week this season, added 13 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots as the Bulldogs remained unbeaten away from home this season with a 6-0 mark.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 21-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and maintained the advantage the rest of the way as the visitors continued to keep pace at the top of the conference standings. Barton also hit all 10 free throw attempts on the night and limited UNC Pembroke to just one-of-17 from behind the three-point line.
The Braves were led by Gabby Smith (Charlotte, N.C.) with 18 points while Zaria Clark (Stanley, N.C.) added 16 points but the home team shot just 30 percent (17-of-57) from the floor in the setback. Senior guard
Akira Wiggins (Knightdale, N.C.) rounded out the double-figure scorers for Barton, totaling 11 points.
Barton returns to the court on Monday, January 17, to take on Chowan in a Conference Carolinas contest at Wilson Gymnasium beginning at 5:00 p.m., while UNC Pembroke travels to Mount Olive, N.C., to face Mount Olive Monday at 5:00 p.m., as well.
