Late Rally Comes Up Short for Women's Basketball in 72-69 Loss to Barton

SALISBURY, NC -- Barton got 24 points from Nyesha Willie (Virginia Beach, VA) and held off a late charge by host Catawba to post a 72-69 victory in women’s basketball action on Sunday afternoon in the Comfort Suites Classic at Goodman Gym.  The Bulldogs improve to 3-2, while the Catawba Indians fall to 2-3. 

Barton led by a dozen at 64-52 with four minutes left, but the Lady Indians fought back and cut the lead to 66-61 with 1:50 to play.  Faith Hunter (Raleigh, NC) was able to hit a jumper and Barton converted on 5-of-6 at the line to hold on.  Hunter and Jannetta Robinson (Willard, NC) each added 15 points for the Bulldogs.

Catawba placed five players in double figures with Dana Hicks (York, SC/Gaston Day) leading the way, scoring 16 points and grabbing nine rebound.  Jolysa Connor (Charlotte, NC/Waddell HS) added 14 points and also pulled down nine boards.  Nisha Long (Dallas, NC/Gaston Day) followed with 13 points, Quaneasia Coleman (Duluth, GA/Northview HS) a dozen and Chloe Bully (Hannut, BELGUIM/KOL Landen) scored 10 points.

Barton surged midway through the first half, building an 11-10 lead to 24-12 with just four minutes left before the break.  Robinson had three buckets in the 13-4 run.  Catawba was able to trim the deficit to 28-22 on Long’s jumper just before the buzzer.

The Bulldogs kept a safe lead for most of the second half, going up by 16 with 11:30 remaining at 51-35 after a layup by Willie.  Bully hit a pair of three-pointers for Catawba to help the Lady Indians get within single digits at 59-51 with 4:56 left before the final flurry that fell short.

Barton shot 46% (27-of-58) for the game and nearly 52% in the second half.  The Lady Indians shot just under 40% (23-of-58).  Catawba had three more turnovers, but did enjoy a 41-34 margin on the boards.