BANNER ELK, N.C. – Three Bobcats scored in double figures, led by
MaKayla Smith with a team-high 21 points, but it was not enough as the Bobcats' second-half rally fell short in a 93-74 loss to Barton in the regular-season finale this afternoon on the McNair & Debi Tornow Court.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Barton – 93; Lees-McRae – 74
LOCATION: McNair & Debi Tornow Court – Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Barton (26-1/22-1), Lees-McRae (9-17/9-15)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Smith shot 9 of 13 from the floor and 3 of 4 from the charity stripe to pace the Bobcats in scoring.
- Jala Holloman and Aurora Roberts scored 15 and 10 points respectively, with Holloman adding five assists and Roberts chipping in seven rebounds.
- Malikah Meyers and Olivia King both added nine points.
- Barton sprinted out to an early 19-4 lead and held a 25-9 lead after the first 10 minutes of action.
- The Bulldogs outscored the Bobcats 20-17 in the second stanza to take a 45-26 lead at halftime.
- Lees-McRae battled throughout the third quarter, cutting the lead down to 47-35, but a late surge by Barton extended the lead back to 67-48 at the final intermission.
- The Bulldogs maintained a sizeable lead for the entirety of the fourth quarter to clinch the conference iwn.
- Lees-McRae won the battle in the paint, as they scored 50 points in the paint compared to the Bulldogs' 36 points in the paint.
FOR THE FOES:
- Four Patriots scored in double figures, led by Jami Tham's double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while both Akira Wiggins and Lauren Walker tallied 19 points respectively.
UP NEXT:
The No. 9 Bobcats will face No. 8 Emmanuel in the first round of the Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Championship in Pembroke, North Carolina on Sunday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
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