It may be the lengthiest 3-game winning streak in school history.

Nonetheless, the 3-game streak the Barton men’s basketball is has put together has thrust it back into the thick of the Jayhawk West race – even at just 4-4.

Barton made it three straight by holding off Northwest Tech for a 74-67 win at the Max Jones Fieldhouse in Goodland.

The Cougars are now 4-4 in the West and 5-4 overall. That is just one game back of the leaders in the loss column. Hutchinson is at the top of the standing with an 8-3 mark. Next is Dodge City at 6-4.

The Cougars haven’t lost since back on February 17 – a stretch of 15 days. But during those two weeks, the Cougars have only been able to get three games in with two more postponed due to Covid issues with opponents.

It was two weeks ago, at 1-4, the Cougars were near the bottom of the West standings, mired in a 3-game losing streak.

While not playing their best basketball in the Mountain Time zone Wednesday, it was good enough for a win over the 0-9 Mavericks.

Barton trailed early in the contest by as many as six before an 11-0 run put the Cougars on top. They maintained that lead the rest of the opening half, although NW Tech did cut it to 33-29 at intermission.

The second half started much like the first with NW Tech in control. The Mavericks tied it at 41-all and matched their biggest lead of the game at 51-45 with 9:08 to play.

After a timeout, Barton went on an 11-0 run to recapture the lead, 56-51 with six minutes to play. The Cougars would not trail again. In fact, the closest NW Tech would get was four.

Justin Harmon paced the Cougars with a career-high 26. Jaheim Holden added 12 off the bench. Also off what has become one of the top benches in the West, Evans Kipruto tossed in 12 and led Barton with seven rebounds.

As of now, Barton is on to host Pratt Saturday in a 4 pm tip. The Cougars home game with Colby Monday has already been postponed.

Barton 74, Northwest Tech 67

Barton     33  41 – 74

NW Tech 29  38 – 67

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