Corley delivers clutch free throws, Cougars escape last second shot for victory at Garden City

Leading most of the night, the Barton Community College men's basketball team found itself needing two Tyler Corley free throws and defending a last second shot to end a two game losing streak in Garden City.  Fortunately for Barton both factors went in favor as the Cougars escaped 65-64 Saturday night over Garden City Community College.   Barton improves to 4-3 in Jayhawk Conference play and 16-7 overall and while dropping Garden City to 3-4 in conference and 17-6 overall.  The Cougars will conclude their two game conference road stretch of the schedule with a trip to Dodge City Community College on Wednesday for a 8:00 p.m. tip at the United Wireless Arena.

Barton was able to extend its first half seven point lead to eleven early in the second half and later held Garden City without a field goal for nearly seven minutes midway through the second half.  As neither team shot well from the field, Barton didn't fully capitalize on their opportunities and the Busters started heating up.   Shaving points off the Barton lead, Garden City also cranked up the defense holding the Cougars without a field goal the last 4:46 of the game.

Following a Barton turnover with the opportunity to ice the game, the Busters finally broke through with the lead with five seconds remaining on Jade Cathey's tip in off a Jalen Variste miss.   Barton quickly inbounded to Corley who moved up the court getting fouled by Variste with 3.1 seconds remaining.  Following a Garden City timeout, the sophomore point guard who scored eleven of Barton's first thirteen points, calmly sank two free throws to put Barton back on top.  After consecutive timeouts by each team, Variste took the inbounds pass and dribbled up court putting up a running shot that kissed the glass and rimmed out.  Regardless, Variste's shot was already being waved off as the officials signaled the shot wasn't launched before time expired.

The Cougars placed three in double figures paced by twenty-three from Darius Gibson as the sophomore connected on 13-of-17 from the free throw line after missing on his first three attempts.  Tyler Corley, who was 4-of-4 from the charity stripe, scored fourteen while also connecting on 3-of-4 from behind the arc.  Raheem Johnson added fourteen with a big contribution of 10-of-14 from the free throw line.  Darryln Johnson was big on the boards for the Cougars grabbing ten with half coming on the offensive glass.

Garden City had only two players reach double digits on the night.  Jalen Variste, who made the most of his open looks, scored nineteen on 9-of-20 shooting and led in assist with three.  Jade Cathey was held to twelve points but tied with Jeremy Wilson and Miles Banks for the team lead in rebounds with six apiece.