The game started the same as any other conference game at Kirkman Activity Center has for the Barton Community College women’s basketball team.
The Lady Cougars committed five turnovers in the first five minutes of play, but they were able to settle down and spark a massive run that led to a 76-55 win over Dodge City on Wednesday night.
It was Barton’s first Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Western Division win at home this season season.
“In games past, when we had those little turnovers, it took us a long time to settle down,” BCC head coach Darin Spence said. “So maybe we’re growing up a little bit. You know, Dodge does a lot of little things that causes problems for us. They are a lot smaller than us, so they’re a little bit harder for us to guard. I was really pleased the entire game how we came out.
“Yeah, they outscored us in the second half, but that’s OK. It’s so easy to get your tail kicked and then decide to go play.”
Shea Shoemaker ignited a 21-3 run that lasted seven minutes, 17 seconds with a 3-pointer. Ta’Kerra Williams and Netanya Jackson each scored two points at the post for the Lady Cougars.
Devan Boeger sank a 3-pointer from the left wing, and Dionne Harris scored two points after an offensive rebound.
Harris finished with 12 points and seven rebounds to lead Barton.
Taschell Phillips scored four points and Harris scored another two before Blair Bloomfield capped the run with a 3-pointer from the top of the key.
Barton, which is 15-9 overall, 5-5 in the West, finished the first half ahead 43-19 after Erin Copeland, who finished with 12 points, hit the final eight points for Barton. As a team, Barton shot 19-for-31 from the field (61.3 percent) in the first half.
“She’s really done well this year,” Spence said of Copeland. “Even in the games where she’s had some higher turnovers, not all her fault. She’s our only true point guard. So without Jennifer (Allende), there’s a lot of weight on her shoulders. She’s really matured. She’s grown up a lot and she’s improved a lot.
“We don’t win the games that we’ve won without her. No question.”
Raven Anderson opened the second half with a three-point play. With those points, all 10 Barton players scored points against Dodge City. Anderson finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
“That’s what we’ve been talking about since Day 1,” Spence said of each player on the team contributing. “Whether you’re a freshman, a sophomore, new kid, returning kid. It’s all about what’s on the front of the jersey.
“It’s a new approach, new deal here and the kids are really starting to take hold of it.”
The Lady Conquistadors went on a 7-0 run early in the second half, but even though they outscored Barton 36-33 in the second half, Dodge City had dug too deep a hole to get itself out of.
Laquarris Harris finished with a game-high 16 points for the Lady Conqs (8-16, 0-10).
Barton travels to Garden City on Saturday. The game begins at 5:30 p.m.
JUNIOR COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference
Western Division
At Great Bend
Kirkman Activity Center
Wednesday
WOMEN
Barton 76, Dodge City 55
DODGE CITY (8-16, 0-10)
Jazmin Villa 3-11 5-6 12, Je’nae Strong 5-10 0-0 12, Laquarris Harris 6-18 2-3 16, Desiree Raines 3-4 0-0 6, Casey McCauley 1-11 3-3 5, Amy Stegman 1-3 0-1 2, Amanda Casey 1-5 0-0 2, Kaylee Wiseman 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-62 10-13 55.
BARTON (15-9, 5-5)
Raven Anderson 4-7 3-4 11, Blair Bloomfield 4-10 2-2 11, Netanya Jackson 3-5 0-3 6, Dionne Harris 6-10 0-0 12, Erin Copeland 4-5 2-2 12, Devan Boeger 1-3 4-4 7, Shea Shoemaker 2-6 0-0 5, Crystal Fulton 1-1 0-0 2, Taschell Phillips 3-3 2-2 8, Ta’Kerra Williams 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 29-52 13-17 76.
Halftime — Barton 43, Dodge City 19. Three-point goals — Barton 5-9 (Copeland 2-2, Shoemaker 1-3, Boeger 1-2, Bloomfield 1-2); Dodge City 5-14 (Harris 2-6, Strong 2-3, Villa 1-2, Casey 0-2, Stegman 0-1). Rebounds — Barton 40 (Harris 7); Dodge City 30 (Raines 7). Assists — Barton 21 (Jackson 5); Dodge City 12 (Villa 8). Steals — Barton 6 (Anderson 2); Dodge City 5 (Raines 2). Blocked shots — Barton 12 (Jackson 5); Dodge City 3 (Raines 2). Turnovers — Barton 15; Dodge City 14. Total fouls — Barton 14; Dodge City 15.
