Defending champs

roll past Lees-McRae
From staff reports

BANNER ELK — Defending NCAA Division II men’s basketball champion Barton rolled past Lees-McRae 102-72 Saturday at Williams Gym.

Starting four true freshmen and facing the defending national champs, the Bobcats (2-12, 1-7 Conference Carolinas) faced a tough test from the opening tip off. Barton (11-4, 7-1) jumped out to an early 11-4 lead, but the Bobcats pulled to within 19-16 by the midway point of the first half.

The three-point margin would be the closest the Bobcats would get. Barton went on a 15-2 run to take control of the game with a commanding 32-18 lead and claimed a 54-33 halftime advantage.

The Bulldogs would continue their offensive onslaught in the second half. Barton used its depth and experience to shut down the Bobcats, and also maintained its torrid scoring pace.

Greg Mammel led the Bulldogs with a game-high 24 points while Bobby Buffaloe added 21. Sam Pounds scored 13 points and and L.J. Dunn had 12. Brian Leggett grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.

Raysean Hairston paced the Bobcats with a team-high 14 points, while Mario McClunie added 10.

Barton women 68, Lees-McRae 57
BANNER ELK — Lees-McRae took an early lead, but could not keep it and fell to Barton Saturday.

The Bobcats (4-10, 3-5) jumped out to an early 11-4 lead, only to see the visitors come back with a 7-0 run to take their first lead, 13-11. The Bulldogs (8-5, 6-2) would increase their lead to seven before the Bobcats would claw their way back to within one, going to halftime trailing 29-28.

The Bobcats would tie the score 43-43 and grab the lead briefly with 12 minutes remaining, only to see the Bulldogs come roaring back to grab the lead for good with an 11-2 run and take a 54-46 advantage.

The Bobcats would draw to within four in the final minutes. However, turnovers would eliminate any chance of closing the gap, forcing Lees-McRae to start fouling to stop the clock.

Stephanie Mullinax led the Bobcats with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Kendra Thomas scored 19 points, while Esty Flores added 18 for Barton.

The Bobcats hit the road for a pair of Conference Carolinas games next week starting Thursday at Limestone and Saturday at Coker.