Barton women fend off last-minute Trojan rally

By Cam Ellis
Published in Sports on February 5, 2015 1:49 PM

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cellis@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- It almost seemed too good to be true.

Down by 18 at one point in the second half, University of Mount Olive was charging. The Trojan women, playing at home against archrival Barton College, trimmed the deficit to four points with 56 seconds to play.

Forget records.

Forget standings.

Forget inexperience.

A come-from-behind win would be sweet for UMO.

In an exciting back-and-forth game, the Bulldogs escaped the Trojans, 77-69, in Conference Carolinas play at Kornegay Arena on Wednesday evening. Tomarrah Harris had 14 points and shot 50 percent from the field for Mount Olive, which had its modest two-game win streak snapped.

Harris hit four 3-pointers, including three during a spirited 11-0 run. But the Trojans didn't have enough left in the tank and couldn't overcome a difficult first half where they missed open shots that clearly affected the team's psychy.

"I think not finishing easy shots at the basket distracted us on the defensive end," head coach Wendy Lee said. "We tried to adjust, but once we were off on offensive it made us compensate on defense. We were getting the shots we wanted to, but we just couldn't really finish.

"I think it got in our heads."

The Bulldogs took advantage of UMO's defensive shortcomings to build a comfortable lead. Their shots fell all night and ended up shooting 47 percent -- nearly 50 percent (9 of 20) from the 3-point line.

Barton's effort on defense, however, made the difference. The Bulldogs were always able to get a key defensive stop when needed.

"We discussed in the beginning of the game that there would be ebbs and flows," BC head coach Wendy Saintsing said. "You've got to be able to withstand when they're making a run at it."

Tatyana Jackson and Kalia Lea each scored 14 points for BC. The duo combined for nine of the team's 17 assists. The Bulldogs remained among the top half of the conference standings and Saintsing appeared happy her team pulled off a pivotal win.

"A win at this time of the year is important," she said. "Particularly when you come on the road and win. It was a big win for us here, and we're just glad to get it."

UMO's loss represents another painful teaching moment in a season that's been challenging. The loss did provide a silver lining -- a second-half effort that Lee encouraged her team to show after they talked at halftime.

"I thought the second half, especially the last five minutes, was positive," she said. "I challenged the team at half time and I thought they -- especially Tommarah Harris -- responded well."