PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Barton men's basketball team (13-10, 11-5) put up a valiant effort early but succumbed to No. 5 UNC Pembroke (24-1, 16-1), 93-74, Wednesday evening in a Conference Carolinas game at the Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court and the English E. Jones Center.
The Braves' Nygell Verdier (Charlotte, N.C.) finished with a team-high 19 points while Cortez Marion-Holmes (Charlotte, N.C.) added 16 points as UNC Pembroke outscored Barton by a 57-31 margin in the second half to push its winning streak to 17 games.
Barton sophomore guard
Marcus Boykin (Clinton, N.C.) and junior guard
Donaven Hairston (Atlanta, Ga.) combined for 48 points but it wasn't nearly enough for the second-half onslaught by the Braves. Boykin finished with 25 points including nine-of-10 from the charity stripe while Hairston scored 23 points on the night.
The Bulldogs, who did jump out to a 43-36 advantage at halftime, suffered their second straight setback. Barton lost despite a 20-of-22 performance (91 percent) from the free throw line. UNC Pembroke held a 48-33 advantage on the boards and remained in sole possession of first place in the league regular season standings.
Barton looks to bounce back on Saturday when the Bulldogs host King (Tenn.) at Wilson Gymnasium beginning at 4:00 p.m., while UNC Pembroke hosts Chowan next Wednesday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m.
