CONCORDIA – It hasn’t always been pretty for the Barton men’s basketball team this season. Wednesday was no different for the Cougars.

But just like they have now 13 of 15 games on the season, the Cougars left the court with a win.

Barton led nearly the entire way at Arley Bryant Gym in Concordia but could never shake off the pesky host Cloud County Thunderbirds in an 80-75 win.

It was until Martin Vogts came up with a series big plays in the final 35 seconds that the Cougars were able to secure their win.

Barton is now 13-2 overall and 4-2 in the Jayhawk. Cloud saw its 4-game winning streak end with the loss to drop to 10-6 and 4-3.

“If felt like we were in control but Cloud just wouldn’t go away,” Coach Craig Fletchall said. “Cloud has a nice team. I wouldn’t want to play them later in the year.”

From the beginning it was Barton getting a lead and Cloud coming back.

Cloud didn’t score for nearly four minutes to start the game as Barton built a 7-0 lead. The T-Birds would come back taking a 16-14 lead four minutes later.

The Cougars used a 9-0 run later to gain momentary control. Akeem White had a dunk in the run and DeMarcus Morris converted on a traditional 3-point play for the 27-21 lead with 5:31 to play.

But, like would happen time and again, Cloud bounced right back on an 8-1 run to take a 29-28 lead with 3:45 to play before half.

The Cougars led 38-34 at half after Martin Vogts knocked down a 3-pointer with three seconds left.

Barton held a slim lead most of the second half as well. The Cougars led by as many as five on a Breontae Hunt 3-pointer with 15:39 to play. Cloud tied the game at 47-all a couple minutes later.

The theme continued. Barton took its biggest lead of the second half on a deep 3-pointer from Vogts for a 61-55 lead with 8:09 left.

The Cougars continued to seize control of the contest, taking their biggest lead of the game at 65-57 a minute later.

On cue, Cloud came back. When Gabe Pieschl hit a trey for the T-Birds with four minutes to play, Barton’s lead was 69-66.

Another Pieschl 3-pointer and a follow by an Alvin Thompson bucket cut the Barton lead to 72-71 with three minutes to play. Thompson then gave Cloud’s its first lead of the second half with 2:29 to play after a Pieschl steal for a layup at 73-72.

Game on.

Tied at 75-all, Vogts came up with the first of three big plays. Near the top of the key, Vogts found White cutting down the lane for a layup and a 77-75 lead with 34 seconds to play.

Vogts then came up big on the defensive end, getting a steal with 17 seconds left. He converted 1-of-2 free throws after getting fouled to make it a 78-75 game.

Vogts made sure of the win after getting yet another steal on Cloud’s next possession. Leondre Washington put the game on ice with a pair of free throws with eight seconds left for the 80-75 final.

White scored 19 to lead the Cougars while Washington added 18. Ford had a double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Thompson led all scorers with 24 in a loss for Cloud.

The Cougars will finish up their one time through the Jayhawk East when Allen County visits the Barton Gym Saturday for a 7:30 pm tip.

Barton 80, Cloud 75

Barton 38 42 – 80

Cloud  34 41 – 75

Barton (13-2, 4-2) 80

Vogts 2-7 1-2 7, Washington 5-13 8-9 18, Ford 5-10 2-4 12, Enneking 1- 0-0 2, White 7-11 5-6 19, Andrews 0-1 0-0 0, Hunt 2-3 0-2 6, Byrson 1-1 0-0 2, Caldwell 3-8 0-0 7, Williams 1-3 0-0 2, Gildyard 1-2 0-0 2, Morris 1-3 1-1 3. Totals – 29-63 17-24 80.

Cloud (10-6, 4-3) 75

Scott 2-9 0-0 5, Ayilara 1-4 2-2 4, Thompson 9-17 5-6 24, Day 0-3 2-2 2, Del Cadia 1-8 2-2 4, Kidd 3-6 0-0 8, Shields 3-6 1-1 7, Sims 3-11 1-2 9, Sissoko 1-2 0-0 2, Pieschl 2-3 0-0 6, Enaruna 1-4 2-4 4. Totals – 26-73 15-19 75.

3-pointers – Barton 5-24 (Hunt 2-3, Vogts 2-6, Caldwell 1-2, Ford 0-1, Andrews 0-1, Gildyard 0-1, Morris 0-1, Williams 0-2, White 0-2, Washington 0-5), Cloud 8-28 (Pieschl 2-2, Kidd 2-4, Sims 2-7, Scott 1-4, Thompson 1-5, Ayilara 0-1, Shields 0-1).

Rebounds – Barton 44 (Ford 10), Cloud 39 (Del Cadia 7). Assists – Barton 12 (Washington, Caldwell 3), Cloud 14 (Day 4). Steals – Barton 6 (Vogts, Caldwell 2), Cloud 8 (Scott, Kidd 2). Blocks – Barton 4 (Ford 2), Cloud 2 (Del Cadia, Sissoko).

Turnovers – Barton 19, Cloud 14. BY MIKE MARZOLF

Special to the Tribune – None. Technicals – None.