The Barton Community College women’s basketball team needed a strong defensive effort to protect home court but instead came up short 82-76 to Independence Community College. Giving up more than twenty points in the first three quarters of play, the Lady Cougars clawed from behind virtually all night surrendering more than eighty points for just the second time this season in non-overtime games. The loss drops Barton to 1-4 in conference play and 9-7 overall while Independence improves 3-3 in the Jayhawk and 12-4 on the season. Barton will next head to Chanute, Kansas, on Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. tip at Neosho County Community College.
Jalisa Jones led a balanced Barton attack with sixteen points leading four in double-digits. Regan Unruh scored fourteen with Kilee Harris and Alexus Bryson tailing behind with thirteen and twelve points respectively. Megan Jirak grabbed eleven of her game leading fourteen rebounds from the offensive side of the glass while falling two points short of a double-double finishing with eight points.
Independence also placed four players in double digits led by Simone Costa’s sixteen points. Brianna Jackson-Brewer and Elina Berzina each added fourteen points along with Ja’Vonda Daniels equally the output providing a spark off the bench with 3-of-3 shooting behind the arc. Ciera Palmer led the 41-33 rebound edge grabbing a team high twelve.
