WILSON, N.C. – The Barton men's basketball team (1-1) erased a 20-point deficit and rallied to stun Augusta (0-2), 87-86, Saturday afternoon on the second day of the Bulldogs' annual Hampton Inn & Suites and Tru by Hilton 45 Second Classic at Wilson Gymnasium.
Barton senior guard
Jett Fortuny (Cary, N.C.) finished with 28 points while hitting eight treys and senior guard
Shawn Nelson (Miami, Fla.) added 26 points as the Bulldogs spotted the Jaguars advantages of 29-9 and 39-19 in the first half before beginning its slow comeback.
Augusta was led by Demetri Gardner (Winchester, Va.) with 24 points and was one of four players to reach double figures for the visitors but it wasn't enough. The Jaguars also shot 50 percent (33-of-66) for the contest and held a 40-31 edge in rebounding despite the loss.
With the score tied at 86, Barton senior guard
Jordan Johnson (Bowie, Md.) hit the game-winning free throw with 11 seconds left and Augusta had a chance to win but a jump shot by Gardner rimmed out as time expired.
In the first game of the day, Columbus State pulled out a 106-96 win over Mount Olive to win both contests over the weekend.
Barton next competes in the University of Mount Olive Pickle Classic on Friday, November 15, at 5:00 p.m., against Morris in Mount Olive, N.C., while Augusta takes on Georgia Southern in Statesboro, N.C., on Monday starting at 7:00 p.m.
