WILSON, N.C. – The Barton men's basketball team (0-2) led most of the contest but couldn't hold off Augusta (2-0), 78-73, Saturday on the final day of the annual 45 Second Classic at Wilson Gymnasium.  The Jaguars are ranked No. 10 in NCAA Division II.

Augusta was led by Demetri Gardner (Winchester, Va.) with 18 points and was one of four players to score in double figures for the visitors, who rallied from a nine-point deficit in the second half to take the win.

Barton was led by senior guard Donaven Hairston (Atlanta, Ga.) with a game-high 25 points including 18 in the first half as the Bulldogs built a 62-53 lead with just under nine minutes left before Augusta rallied for the win.

Gardner broke a 70-all tie with a free throw with two minutes to go which proved to be the game-winner for the Jaguars.  Augusta's Ja'Queze Kirby (Hazlehurst, Ga.) added 13 points, 11 rebounds, six steals, four assists and three treys as Augusta hit 62 percent (13-of-21) from the floor in the second half for the victory.

Barton senior forward Trevon Spencer (Columbia, N.C.) added 14 points for the Bulldogs in the losing effort.  Augusta also powered its way to the win courtesy of the free throw line, where the Jaguars went 25-of-33 from the charity stripe.

In the earlier game, Mount Olive fell to Columbus State by an 89-66 score.  Barton hosts Wingate on Wednesday, November 15, at 7:00 p.m., while Augusta takes on Fayetteville State in Fayetteville, N.C., on Tuesday beginning at 7:30 p.m.