Season ends in Region VI quarterfinals for Barton County men

Season ends in Region VI quarterfinals for Barton County men
The Barton County Community College men's basketball team saw its season come to an end Sunday afternoon in Salina, falling to Cloud County Community College, 86-80, during Region VI quarterfinal play at the Bicentennial Center.

The loss ends what was a great season for the Cougars, who finish 28-4 and with the No. 4 ranking in the final NJCAA poll. Cloud County improved to 19-13 with the win and will take on Cowley County in semifinal action Monday.

Highlights
The Cougars season came to an end earlier than expected with the loss to Cloud County. Barton County was the top seed in the tournament and the favorite to win the Region VI title and move on the NJCAA National Tournament.

But Cloud County's D'Andre McGrew denied the Cougars that trip in a return to his hometown. McGrew scored 30 points for the Thunderbirds, including several key baskets down the stretch. McGrew was 10-of-18 from the floor including a 4-of-8 effort behind the 3-point line. Dramane Diarra added 26 for Cloud, hitting 10-of-12 free throws.

The Cougars lost the game despite hitting 56 percent from the field to Cloud County 46 percent. Barton County also shot a better 3-point percentage and made one more 3-pointer. The Cougars hit 15-of-16 free throws as well and outrebounded the Thunderbirds. A key factor was Cloud hitting 22-of-26 from the charity stripe as well as the Cougars 22 turnovers in the contest. Barton was averaging just 15 for the season.

Randy Pulley returned to action for the first time in five games for the Cougars and led Barton County with 19 points. Rodney Epperson added 18 points and Justin Rose tossed in 17. Also scoring in double figures for Barton was Nouha Diakite with 12 and Robert Whaley with 10.

The game was the final contest for six sophomores and probably for one redshirt freshman as well. Whaley and Diakite have already signed to play at the next level. Whaley will be going to Cincinnati and Diakite to Louisville. Pulley is also being looked at by several high major NCAA schools as well. Mauricio Branwell, Richard Chavez and Cody Rierson completed their tenure at Barton as well and will continue their careers at the next level as well. Tyler Luke, a redshirt freshman, is expected to move on to NCAA Division I basketball as well.

Stats
Stats can be found at www.bartonccc.edu/sports

Next
The Cougars end their season with a 28-4 record.

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Check out Barton County Men's Basketball Online at www.bartonccc.edu/sports