WILSON, N.C. – The Barton men's basketball team (10-14, 7-7) couldn't hold an 18-point lead in falling to UNC Pembroke (18-5, 12-2), 77-73, Thursday night in a Conference Carolinas game at Wilson Gymnasium.
The Braves put five players in double figures – led by JaJuan Carr (Burgaw, N.C.) with 17 points – as UNC Pembroke spotted Barton a 51-33 advantage with just over 14 minutes left into the second half before rallying to win.
Barton lost despite a career-high 22 points from junior guard
Trey Crews (Durham, N.C.) and a double-double – 18 points and 11 assists – from senior guard
Reese McDonald (Raleigh, N.C.). Crews also hit four of the Bulldogs' 10 treys in the setback as well.
UNC Pembroke, which shot 65 percent (22-of-34) and scored 55 points after halftime, took the lead for good when Javonte Waverly (Henderson, N.C.) hit a three-pointers with 21 seconds left and Nygell Verdier (Charlotte, N.C.) iced the contest with a pair of free throws with four seconds on the clock. Both Waverly and Verdier finished with 13 points for the Braves, who remained atop the league standings in the East Division.
UNC Pembroke also held a 47-30 edge in rebounding on the night and completed the season sweep of Barton.
In the next go-round of Conference Carolinas games on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m., Barton hosts Belmont Abbey at 4:00 p.m., while UNC Pembroke hosts Francis Marion in Pembroke, N.C.
