MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The Barton men's basketball team (0-1) suffered a 95-66 setback to Columbus State (1-0) Friday evening in the Pickle Classic and the 2022-23 season opener at Kornegay Arena on the campus of the University of Mount Olive.

The Cougars, who fell behind by scores of 10-0 and 24-11 to start the contest, were powered by 18 three-pointers while five players scored in double figures for Columbus State.

Columbus State was led by Demierre Black (Marietta, Ga.) and Grant Howard (Douglasville, Ga.) with 16 points each as the Cougars shot 51 percent (35-of-69) from the field including 55 percent (18-of-33) from behind the three-point line.

Barton was led by sophomore guard Marcus Boykin (Clinton, N.C.) with 19 points while senior forward Trevon Spencer (Columbia, N.C.) added 14 points in the setback.  Trailing by a 42-40 score at the break, the Cougars took control by going on a 22-5 run to start the second half and never looked back.  The Cougars also held a 45-31 advantage on the boards.

Barton will look to bounce back on Saturday when the Bulldogs take on second-ranked Augusta beginning at 5:00 p.m., while Columbus State takes on the host institution, Mount Olive, Saturday at 7:00 p.m., on the final day of the tournament.