Cougars fall from ranks of unbeaten

Cougars fall from ranks of unbeaten
The Barton County Community College men's basketball team lost for the first time this season, falling to Neosho by a 100-98 score in double overtime Saturday at the Barton County Gym. The loss for the No. 1 ranked Cougars came on the second day of the Cougar Booster Club/Walnut Bowl Classic.

During the first day of action at the Classic, Barton held off a feisty Southwest Missouri State-West Plains team, winning 71-68. Neosho defeated Lamar College (Colo.) Friday by a 104-68. In Saturday's other game, West Plains knocked off Lamar 74-62.

Barton is now 11-1 for the season. Neosho improves to 8-2.

Highlights
Barton County led most of the first half and in the early stages of the second half, but Neosho took the lead during the second half and pushed it to as many as 9 points at one time. The Cougars forced the game into overtime when Robert Whaley hit 1-of-2 free throws and then into a second overtime when Rodney Epperson drained a trey to tie it with 10 seconds left.

But in the second overtime, the Panthers again played in front most the way, pushing that lead to five before the Cougars rallied to even the score at 98-all with 10 seconds to play. Sean Dantzler knocked down a 19-foot jumper with 1 second to play to give the Panthers the lead at 100-98. On the final play of the game, Justin Rose inbounded the ball from under Neosho's basket to Epperson, who caught it about 30-feet out on the left wing. Epperson got off the shot, which hit the front iron, then the backboard before falling to the floor to end the game and a 51-game home court winning streak against non-Jayhawk West foes.

The Cougars were led by Rose with a career-high 27, followed by Epperson with 24, Diakite with 21 and Pulley with 10. Diakite also had 12 rebounds and Pulley ended with 16 assists, two shy of the Barton County school record.

Dantzler ended with 31 to lead Neosho, including 7 treys. Michael Cuffee, who scored 32 in the first round, added 20 and 10 boards while Leach finished with 18 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds.

Barton committed 26 turnovers and hit just 19-of-32 free throws. Neosho had 14 treys in the game.

Against West Plains, led nearly the entire game, but couldn't shake the pesky Grizzlies. Whaley scored 19 and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the win over West Plains. Diakite added 17 while Epperson tossed in 15.

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

All Tournament
Bobby Leach, Neosho, MVP
Sean Dantzler, Neosho
Nouha Diakite, Barton
Zione White, West Plains
Joe Gunn, Lamar

Next
The Cougars will be in Coffeyville this weekend for action in the Jayhawk ShootOut. The Cougars will take on Highland Friday at 1 p.m. then tangle with host Coffeyville Saturday at 7 p.m.

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