Saints Suffer Worst Jayhawk Loss Since '08
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seward County Community College (9-8 (2-2)) | 34 | 39 | 73 |
|
Barton Community College (15-3 (3-1)) | 43 | 54 | 97 |
The Seward County Saints were in unfamiliar territory on Monday night in Great Bend as they took on the high powered Barton Cougars. Not only were the Saints starring their second conference loss in four tries in the eyes late in the contest, but it was the way that that loss came about as Seward was blown out 97-73, suffering their worst Jayhawk West loss since the 2007-2008 season when they also lost to the Cougars by 24.
Things started well for the Saints who saw Nick Singleton hit a three pointer on their first possession to give them a 3-0 lead and a jumper two minutes later connected for Darius Polley to put Seward up 6-4. That was the end of the positives for the Saints as Barton went on an 11-1 run over the next 2:24 to take their first lead of the game at 15-7 and Seward played catchup from there. The Saints were able to put the ball in the hole on their end of the floor but they had no answer for a potent Barton offensive attack as they remained down by six with 11:21 to go in the half. Seward managed to cut it to a two point Barton lead with 8:27 to go after a pair of Kevin Sims free throws, but a 14-4 run for the Cougars opened Barton's lead back to 38-26 with under three minutes left in the half. A late three by Evan Allen got the Saints back to within single digits, but it was still a 43-34 lead for Barton at the break.
The numbers were pretty similar at the break, the only different coming in the three point category where Barton shot 50%, good for 21 points, while Seward managed to hit just 3 out of their 10 attempts in the period. Singleton and Jamal Poplar combined to go 6 of 9 in the first half for the Saints, combining for 15 points.
The action was fast and furious as the second half began, but unfortunately for Seward, it was mostly in favor of the home team as Barton scored 21 points in just 4:52 to begin the period to balloon their lead to 64-45. Seward never recovered from the run as Barton pushed their lead to 20 and the Saints continued to trail big until a mini 7-0 run made it an 81-67 game with 4:52 to go. Just as soon as Seward got back into it, Barton stepped on the gas and put the game out of reach, allowing the Saints just two points in the next three minutes to extend their lead to 88-69. That was it for Seward as Barton finished them off 97-73, handing the Saints their worst Jayhawk West Conference loss since the 2008 season when coincidentally enough, the Cougars also beat the Saints by 24.
Going into the game, Seward had the top ranked defense in the Jayhawk West, but that changed after this one as the Saints allowed Barton to shoot 68% in the second half and 58% in the game in the defeat. Poplar led Seward with 17 points on 8 of 12 shooting in the loss while Secean Johnson added 14.
The Saints will have to turn things around quick if they are to make a run at their record fifth straight Jayhawk West title as Seward falls to 9-8 overall and 2-2 in West action after the loss. Barton improves to 15-3 on the year and 3-1 in conference action.
Seward will have four days to recover from the blowout loss as they take their bye on Wednesday before returning to the court on Saturday to take on Dodge City in the Civic Center.