Whitley's double-double leads the Saints to a 71-64 victory over Barton

LIBERAL, Kan. - Seward County community college returned to conference action with a 71-64 victory over Barton Community College on Wednesday night in the Greenhouse. The Saints were in control for the entire game with a 40-28 advantage at halftime and held on to their lead in the second half. Seward County improves to 9-7 on the year and 5-5 in the KJCCC.

Mario Whitley had his third double-double this season with a team-high 20 points and 13 rebounds. Jaylin Henderson and Wilson Dubinsky provided nine points, and Niko Smith and Kole Scott had seven points.

The Cougars started the game on a 5-0 run to take an early lead over the Saints. After a timeout by Head Caoch Rylee Hernandez, Seward County took their first lead 14-12 with 10:30 left in the first half. The Saints went on a 7-2 run to extend their lead to 21-14 over the Cougars with seven minutes left before halftime. A pair of free throws by Whitley gave the Saints their largest contest lead, 34-21, over the Cougars. At the break, Seward County led 40-28 over Barton, as the Saints shot 55% from the field in the first half.

The Cougars made a push to start the second half, but the Saints still led 45-38 with 15 minutes left in the contest. Barton came out into a zone against the Saints' offense to start the second half and slowed the game for Seward County. After Kole Scott made a free throw, the Saints led by 11 points, 54-43, with eleven minutes left.

With three minutes left, the Saints led 67-58 and looked to close out the game, but the Cougars fought back again. Barton went on a 6-0 run to make it a one-procession game, 67-64, with under a minute left. Seward County closed out the contest from the free throw line on a 4-0 run to win 71-64.

The Saints travel to Hutchinson on Saturday to take on the Blue Dragons at 7:30 p.m. CT in the Hutchinson Sports Arena.