Wilson, NC – Southern Wesleyan fell to the Barton Bulldogs in the final seconds of the game on Saturday afternoon in an 82-75 final score.
The Warriors shot 40.9% from the field and were 44.4% from beyond the arc against the Bulldogs. Taylin Smith led the team as she went 5-9 beyond the arc and totaled 19 points. She was followed by Asia Pearley with 15 points and Makayla Raines with 14. Southern Wesleyan collected 22 assists with Smith, Alexis Glover and Rahkhia Mack each picking up four. Kaliah Kendrick and Lexie Ransom had three assists.
Southern Wesleyan pulled down 36 rebounds during the game. Asia Pearley had five rebounds while four Warriors followed with four rebounds. The Warriors totaled nine steals with both Kaliah Kendrick and Rahkhia Mack having three.
Game Vitals
Final: Barton 82, Southern Wesleyan 75
Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-4 / CC 0-1) Barton (4-2 / CC 1-0)
How It Happened
Barton came out of the gate first as Lauren Mingo collected a defensive rebound and sent the ball down the court to Lauren Walker who laid it up to give the Bulldogs the lead. Southern Wesleyan countered as Taylin Smith sunk the ball into the basket from beyond the arc. Another three out of the hands of Smith allowed the Warriors to take the lead. The Warriors maintained the pressure as Asia Pearley laid the ball up into the basket. A Barton turnover was collected by Alexis Glover who quickly passed the ball out to Kaliah Kendrick who hit her first three of the afternoon to give the Warriors an 11-3 point lead. Makayla Raines collected a pass from Lexie Ransom and sunk the ball into the net from beyond the arc to extend the Warriors lead to ten. Out of the timeout, Leah Hampton put up a jump shot, but Raines hit another three pointer to give the Warriors 17-6 point advantage. Jada Battle laid the ball up and then Hampton sunk a three to allow the Bulldogs to get back to within six points of the Warriors. Southern Wesleyan would not back down as Kyra Price and Dynasty Shegog each put up layups. With four seconds left in the quarter, Alexis Glover laid the ball up into the basket to give the Warriors a 25-17 point lead.
Barton started strong in the second quarter as an early three pointer by Celeste Bailey allowed the Bulldogs to cut the Warriors lead down to five. The Bulldogs would not relent as Lauren Walker collected a rebound off a Southern Wesleyan shot attempt and sent it up the court to Jada Battle who laid it up to make it a one possession game. Rahkhia Mack made a free throw, by Tamiya Turner made a layup to put the Bulldogs within one point of Southern Wesleyan. Barton tied the game up, but free throws by Mack allowed the Warriors to regain their two point advantage. Coming out of the media timeout, Taylin Smith rebounded a free throw attempt by Skylar Quillett. Smith passed the ball down to Makayla Raines who put up a jump shot to regain a four point lead. Alexis Glover passed the ball over to Raines who ran behind Glover and quickly put up a three pointer to give the Warriors a 33-27 point lead with just over three minutes left in the half. Glover wove around the defense and laid the ball up into the basket. Lauren Mingo laid the ball up in the final seconds, but the Warriors remained on top 36-31 at halftime.
Lauren Mingo started the scoring in the third quarter with a jump shot that put the Bulldogs within three points. Tamiya Turner hit a jump shot, but Southern Wesleyan answered with a jump shot by Taylin Smith. The Bulldogs tied the game up, but layups by Dynasty Shegog allowed the Warriors to regain the advantage. Barton would not back down as Leah Hampton fired off a shot from beyond the arc to give the Bulldogs their first lead since the first quarter. Makayla Raines knocked down a three pointer to tie the game back up with just under five minutes left in the quarter. DeYana Hayes passed the ball beyond the arc to Lexie Ransom. Ransom sunk the ball into the net to give the Warriors a 48-45 point lead. Jada Battle hit a jump shot, but Asia Pearley stole the ball away and passed the ball under the net to Alexis Glover who laid it up to keep the Warriors on top by three. However, Celeste Bailey sunk a three pointer to tie the game up once again.
The Bulldogs took a three point lead off a jump shot by Lauren Walker. However, Taylin Smith sunk the ball from beyond the arc to tie the game up. Barton answered with a three pointer by Lauren Walker. The Warriors pushed on as Taylin Smith hit another three pointer to keep the game tied up. Southern Wesleyan and Barton continued to battle as they matched each other point for point, but Asia Pearley sunk a three from the left wing to allow the Warriors to take a 67-66 point lead. Leah Hampton hit another three, but once again Taylin Smith answered with a three pointer of her own. The Bulldogs took the lead on a jump shot by Tamiya Turner. It was short lived as Pearley hit a jump shot coming out of the media time out. Barton continued to press as Dasani Williamson put up a jump shot to allow the Bulldogs to take a two point lead. With seconds left on the clock, Lauren Mingo laid the ball up into the basket. Barton pushed on to win the game in a 82-75 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will return to Central, SC on November 26 as they host the Flagler Saints at 5pm. They will then resume Conference Carolinas action on the road as they travel to Belmont, NC on November 30 to take on the Belmont Abbey Crusaders. The Warriors will host the Georgia College Bobcats on December 4.
