SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Barton women's basketball team (11-20) fell to UNC Pembroke (22-7), 63-56, to end its season Saturday evening in the semifinals of the 2024 Atlantic Casualty Conference Carolinas Championship at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium on the campus of Wofford College.
The Braves, the top seed in the tournament, will now face the winner of second-seeded Francis Marion (20-7) and third seeded Belmont Abbey (22-7) in the championship round on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The Bulldogs, who saw their four-game winning streak snapped, were the tenth seed in the championship.
UNC Pembroke was led by Kalaya Hall (Beulaville, N.C.) with a game-high 25 points while Courtney Smith (Jonesboro, Ga.) added 12 points off the bench as the Braves defeated the Bulldogs for the third time this season.
Barton senior guard
Lauren Walker (Charlotte, N.C.) finished with a team-high 16 points and freshman center
Nyla Powell (Rocky Mount, N.C.) scored 15 points but the Bulldogs couldn't keep their Cinderella run through the tournament going.
The Braves, who are looking to repeat as conference tournament champions, closed the game on a 9-2 run in the final minute of play to hold off the Bulldogs. The game was also the final contest for Barton Head Coach
Wendee Saintsing, who is retiring after 35 years and 608 victories as Bulldogs' mentor.
