CENTRAL, S.C. – Barton scored 18 points off of as many turnovers by the UNC Pembroke women's basketball team and shot and made several trips to the free throw line to key a 65-39 victory over the Braves on Saturday afternoon at the Peach Belt Conference/Conference Carolinas Challenge.
 
The setback marked wrapped up a season-opening two-game swing away from Pembroke for the Braves (1-1) who will make their home debut against Fayetteville State on Wednesday at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court. It was the second-straight series victory for the Bulldogs (2-0) who downed the Braves at last year's PBC/Conference Carolinas Challenge as well.




 

THE BASICS

Score: Barton 65, UNC Pembroke 39 Records: UNC Pembroke 1-1; Barton 2-0 Location: Central, S.C. (Tysinger Gymnasium)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST QUARTER

Barton shot 33.3 percent from the field in the first quarter and held a lead as large as 12 points, 14-2, but Aliyah Farmer broke a six-minute scoring drought for UNCP with a jumper at the 3:30 mark. Both teams traded baskets over the next 55 seconds, including a 3-pointer from Naomi Gilbert, but neither side was able to light up the scoreboard over the final 2-1/2 minutes of the period.

2ND QUARTER

The Braves shot 50 percent (8-for-16) from the field in the second quarter, but didn't score their first bucket until nearly 3-1/2 minutes in. UNCP was able to get within nine points, 30-21, off of a fastbreak layup from Tiara Williams, but Barton held a 35-23 lead heading into the locker rooms.

3RD QUARTER

The Bulldogs opened the half on a 14-3 run that extended their lead out to 49-26 with four minutes left in the quarter. The Braves shot just 23 percent from the field in the stanza, and Barton held onto a hefty 55-33 lead going into the final stanza.

4TH QUARTER

Barton took their largest lead of the night, 59-33, on a Shanika Peterkin layup with 7:16 left to play and held the Black & Gold at arm's length the rest of the game.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

+ The Braves had four players log six points apiece - Jillian Ebron, Naomi Gilbert, Aliyah Farmer, and Tiara Williams. + Melanie Horne led the Black & Gold with six rebounds. + Jillian Ebron added to her offensive night with five assists as well.

NOTABLES

+ The 39 points is the fewest scored by the Braves in the 31-game-old series with Barton. + The Bulldogs have now claimed both neutral site meetings in a series that dates back to the 1976-77 campaign. + UNCP leads the all-time series, 23-8, including an 11-1 record against Barton in Pembroke.

UP NEXT

The Braves will make their home debut on Wednesday when they take on Fayetteville State (0-1). Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Lumbee Guaranty Back Court.

STAY CONNECTED

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JOIN THE BRAVES CLUB

Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Women's Basketball program by joining the Braves Club. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu.