Barton holds on to top Catawba 71-69

WILSON, NC -- Catawba got 27 points and 10 rebounds from Dana Hicks (York, SC/Gaston Day), but could not covert at the line in the final second and fell 71-69 to host Barton in women’s basketball action on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs win their opener, while the Catawba Indians fall to 1-2.

Catawba rallied in the final minutes from a nine-point deficit and tied the game on a three-point play by Kisha Long (Dallas, NC/Gaston Day) with 1:20 remaining. After the teams traded turnovers, Jolanda Mitchell sank two free throws to put Barton up 71-69 with 14 ticks left. Hicks was fouled with a second to play, but missed on her first attempt. Barton grabbed the rebound after she missed the second intentionally.

Hicks hit on 12-of-20 from the field, but converted only 3-of-10 at the line. Long, Milica Ivanovic (Belgrade, SERBIA/Sports High/Bethel) and Elizabeth Merritt (Lexington, NC/E. Davidson HS) all followed with a dozen points. Merritt grabbed eight rebounds, while Long handed out four assists.

Jamila Johnson paced the Bulldogs with 15 points and was the only Barton player in double figures. Barton committed just seven turnovers and helped force 20 from Catawba.