It’s not how you start a game.
It’s how you finish.
Barton Community College took a harsh lesson in that on Friday night at Kirkman Activity Center from Neosho County, falling 108-102 in the first day of the Best Western Angus Inn/Cougar Boost Club Thanksgiving Basketball Classic.
The Cougars ignited a massive lead early on against Neosho County, leading as much as 25-2 in the first six minutes of the game.
Isaac Williams led the way, sinking his first four 3-pointers on his way to a 22-point first half.
Darius Gibson and Raheem Johnson each had 10 points in the first half to boost the Cougars to a 63-41 lead at intermission.
Neosho answered, outscoring Barton 67-39 in the second half to win.
Williams finished with a double-double, scoring 31 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, both team-leading statistics.
Raheem Johnson had 12 points and 10 boards for a double-double.
Gibson finished with 16 points, and Deriece Parks added 12 points.
Barton reached the century mark for the sixth time this season.
Barton head coach Craig Fletchall received a technical foul, forcing him to sit out of Saturday’s game against Independence.
JUNIOR COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Best Western Angus Inn/Cougar Boost Club Thanksgiving Basketball Classic
MEN
Friday
At Great Bend
Kirkman Activity Center
Neosho County 108, Barton 102
NEOSHO COUNTY (8-1)
Tyson Downing 2-5 1-2 5, Jamie Batish 10-15 1-2 28, Henry Buckley 0-4 1-2 1, BJ Jenkins 4-8 4-4 14, Kyler Steadman 6-7 2-7 14, Jelani Pruit 1-3 0-5 2, Jonathan Honore 0-2 0-0 0, Joseph Acuil 3-6 4-4 11, Deshawn Terrell 1-3 0-0 2, Brett Frantz 5-10 9-10 23, D’Avonte Garland 2-3 2-2 8, Charles Cooper 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 34-68 24-38 108.
BARTON (8-4)
DJ Johnson 3-5 0-0 6, Raheem Johnson 4-5 4-4 12, Darius Gibson 5-9 6-14 16, Tyler Corley 1-5 4-6 7, Isaac Williams 10-20 6-9 31, Trey Unrau 3-6 0-0 9, Christian Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Deriece Pards 5-9 0-0 12, Travelle Robinson 0-0 0-0 0, Tyler Chambers 0-0 0-0 0, Montrell McKenzie 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 35-68 20-33 102.
Halftime — Barton 63, Neosho County 41. Three-point goals — Neosho County 16-30 (Batish 7-11, Frantz 4-7, Jenkins 2-6, Garland 2-2, Downing 0-1, Honore 0-1, Cooper 0-1); Barton 12-28 (Williams 5-11, Unrau 3-6, Parks 2-6, Bean 1-2, Corley 1-3). Rebounds — Neosho County 39 (Steadman 11); Barton 39 (Williams 11). Assists — Neosho County 16 (Jenkins 7); Barton 19 (Gibson 6). Steals — Neosho County 6 (Jenkins 2); Barton 7 (Gibson 3). Total fouls — Neosho County 19, Barton 22. Turnovers — Neosho County 13, Barton 11.
