The Barton Community College men’s basketball team dominated the first half against Colby on Saturday night at Kirkman Activity Center.
The Trojans hung in there but failed to complete the rally as the Cougars earned a 97-87 Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Western Division win.
Barton improves to 19-8 overall, 7-4 in the West.
The Cougars took off in the first half, launching themselves ahead and capping the half with 12-0 run.
Darius Gibson started the run with a layup with 2:05 remaining in the half.
Gibson hit another layup after a steal, forcing Colby to call a timeout.
Barton decided to take the opportunity to turn up the defensive pressure, going to a full-court press.
The press forced three turnovers in quick succession, finishing at the other end with a Raheem Johnson dunk and layup, along another layup from Gibson.
After a missed 3-pointer from Colby’s Joey Meyer, Barton was able to take the final shot of the final shot of the half, a missed 3-pointer that was putback by Johnson with two seconds left on the clock.
The 12-0 run gave Barton a 53-31 lead at halftime, and the Cougars were able to keep enough distance to win.
Gibson led Barton with 30 points, going 10-for-11 from the free-throw line.
Johnson had a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds. He was 12 of 14 from the field.
Barton assistant coach Matt Hundley was in charge on the sideline for the Cougars after head coach Craig Fletchall was suspended for four games.
The suspension was due to a conduct violation after last Wednesday’s game against Pratt having to do with comments on the officials, according to Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs. Rolfs said that Barton will be appealing the suspension.
JUNIOR COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference
Western Division
MEN
Saturday
At Great Bend
Kirkman Activity Center
Barton 97, Colby 87
COLBY (9-18, 0-11)
Jeremiah Ingram 7-15 10-12 24, Branden Williams 6-12 1-2 17, Terry Starks 5-14 1-1 13, Joey Meyer 6-7 0-0 12, Ramon Johnson 5-11 0-0 10, Justin Talley 3-7 2-4 8, Kyle Summers 1-3 0-0 3, Dalaan Organ 0-1 0-0 0, Sager Grafel 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 33-70 14-19 87.
BARTON (19-8, 7-4)
Darius Gibson 10-17 10-11 30, Raheem Johnson 12-14 1-1 25, Tyler Corley 6-10 3-5 17, Isaac Williams 3-10 2-2 9, Trey Unrau 2-5 0-0 6, DJ Johnson 3-5 0-0 6, Deriece Parks 2-10 0-0 4, Rashawn Walker 0-0 0-0 0, Travell Robinson 0-0 0-0 0, Christian Smith 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 38-72 16-19 97.
Halftime – Barton 53, Colby 31. Three-point goals — Colby 7-21 (Williams 4-7, Starks 2-5, Summers 1-3, Talley 0-1, Meyer 0-1, Ingram 0-4); Barton 5-22 (Unrau 2-5, Corley 2-4, Williams 1-6, Parks 0-6, Christian Smith 0-1). Fouled out — Colby (None); Barton (None). Rebounds — Colby 39 (Johnson 7); Barton 38 (Johnson 10). Assists — Colby 15 (Ingram, Starks 5); Barton 21 (Corley, Gibson 5). Total fouls — Colby 18; Barton 16. Turnovers — Colby 16; Barton 9.
