Seward County falls short to #22 Barton 60-57

LIBERAL, Kan. - The Lady Saints fell 60-57 to Barton Community College in Seward County Community College's return home after the holiday break. Seward County faced a three-point deficit in the final 20 seconds and continued to fight but could not break the Cougars' lead. The Lady Saints are now 9-6 on the year, with a 7-3 KJCCC record, and will travel to Hutchinson on Saturday to take on the Blue Dragons at 5:30 p.m. CT.

Kylee Hunt led the Lady Saints with 17 points and three assists. De'Shawnti Thomas had her third double-double of the season with ten points and ten rebounds in the contest. 

Both teams traded off baskets to start the contest as Seward County led 7-6 but fell behind 9-7 after a Barton three. This started an 8-0 run by the Cougars to take a 14-7 advantage with 4:30 left in the first quarter. Salat and Thomas scored the final two baskets of the quarter, and Seward County went scoreless for the final two minutes of the quarter. At the end of the first quarter, the Lady Saints trailed 18-11 to the Cougars. 

The largest Cougar lead happened in the second quarter, as they lad 25-15 with six minutes before halftime. Halima Salat connected on a mid-range jump shot to get within four points 29-25 at the 2:25 mark. Seward County went into the break down 34-27 after Barton got a layup to go as the time ran out in the second quarter. 

The Lady Saints started the third quarter with a 4-0 run to get back within a single possession, 34-31 to the Cougars. Throughout the third quarter, the Lady Saints could get within a single possession but could not tie or take the lead over the Cougars, and after a D'Arrah Allen floater, Seward County trailed 41-39. Seward County faced a 47-44 deficit at the end of the third quarter and continued to chip away at the Barton lead. 

In the fourth quarter, the Lady Saints tied it at 49-49 with a mid-range jumper by Thomas at the 6:54 mark. Thomas later gave Seward County their first lead since the first quarter, 53-51, with 3:30 left in the contest. In the final minute of action, the Cougars connected on a transition three to regain the lead 56-55.

After a technical foul on Barton with 18 seconds left gave Seward County two free throws and the ball as they trailed 58-55. Hunt made both of the free throws to cut the lead to one point, 58-57, and the Lady Saints looked to take the lead. Allen missed a layup that forced the Lady Saints to foul the Cougars with six seconds left. Barton made both free throws to take a 60-57 advantage. The Lady Saints called a timeout to draw up a final play, but they could not get their field goals to fall as time ran out. 

Seward County will travel to Hutchinson on Saturday, with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT in the Sports Arena.