WILSON, N.C. – Lees-McRae used a late 10-5 run, highlighted by a fast break layup and game-saving block by
Jamarius Hairston within the final 33 seconds, to escape with an 83-79 win at Barton to stay on top of the Conference Carolinas men's basketball standings. The Bobcats start the season 4-0 for the first time under head coach
Steve Hardin.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 83, Barton - 79
LOCATION: Wilson Gymnasium – Wilson, North Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (4-0/4-0), Barton (2-4/2-4)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Four Bobcats scored double figures, led by Justin Nichelson who finished with 16 points on 7 of 14 shooting to go along with six rebounds.
- Andrew Gardner and Malik McConnell each tallied 13 points and had seven rebounds and four assists respectively.
- Hairston chipped in 11 points, three assists and a block, while Quay Kimble finished with seven points, five rebounds and three assists.
- The Bobcats and the Bulldogs matched each other point-for-point for the majority of the first half, until a late 9-4 run gave Lees-McRae a 37-34 halftime lead.
- Barton opened the second stanza on a 17-7 run to take a 51-44 lead with 15:12 remaining.
- The Bobcats traded leads with the Bulldogs over the next 13 minutes, until a three-point field goal by Timon Jones gave Lees-McRae a 78-76 lead with 1:36 left in the contest.
- Barton trimmed to deficit to 78-77 on the next possession, but a steal by Hairston on the next possession and a break away layup gave Lees-McRae an 80-77 lead with 33 seconds remaining.
- Hairston followed up the steal with a block on the next Bulldog possession to put the game out of reach. Lees-McRae finished with three free throws to clinch the win.
- Barton held a 48-40 edge in rebounding, but were outscored 48-14 in bench points and 40-32 in points in the paint.
FOR THE FOES:
- Isaiah Reddish scored a game-high 22 points to go along with 11 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs.
- Marcus Boykin and David Campbell added 17 and 16 points respectively.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats visit Conference Carolinas rival King in a 7 p.m. showdown on Tuesday.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics) and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
