WILSON, N.C. – The Barton men's basketball team (0-1) put on a furious rally late in the contest but came up short to Wingate (1-0), 94-92, in the 2025-26 season opener Friday night on the first day of the Hampton Inn/TRU Hotels 45 Second Classic at Wilson Gymnasium.
Wingate held a 14-point lead – 44-30 with just over remaining in the contest – and held on to beat Barton despite a 62-point second half by the home.
Wingate was able to pull out the victory thanks to its prowess from the charity stripe. Wingate connected on 34-fo-45 free throw attempts including a 17-of-20 performance from Jordan Miller (Rock Hill, S.C.). Miller led the visitors with 28 points on the evening.
Barton stayed in the game thanks to a heroic performance from junior guard
Jaylen Faber (Columbia, S.C.). Faber led all scorers with 37 points and 10 treys including seven three-pointers after intermission but it wasn't enough.
Barton senior forward
Trey Fields (Clayton, N.C.) added 21 points including three treys and a 10-of-12 performance from the free throw line in the losing effort.
Barton takes on Augusta in the final game of the round-robin on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., while Wingate faces Mount Olive in the first contest of the day at 11:00 a.m. The Trojans defeated the Jaguars by a 99-84 score in the first game on Friday.
