Tigers knock off No. 21-ranked Barton 67-65

The Cowley College men's basketball team got 22 points from sophomore Clarence King and made just enough plays down the stretch to hold off No. 21-ranked Barton Community College 67-65 Tuesday night inside W.S. Scott Auditorium.

Cowley improves to 5-4 overall and 1-2 in the Jayhawk Conference. After winning its first six games of the season, Barton has dropped its past two contests to fall to 6-2 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

Outside of a loss at Dodge City on Saturday, the Tigers other three losses had been by a combined 14 points. Tuesday's game featured 11 ties and 12 lead changes with neither team leading by more than six points.

Clinging to a 67-65 lead, Cowley would lose possession of the basketball on a jump ball with 17.8 seconds left to play. With Barton needing a basket to tie, or a three-pointer to win, the Tiger defense suffocated the Cougars to where Barton did not get a shot off until after the final buzzer sounded.

The Tiger players celebrated ending its three-game losing skid and being able to win a close game after some tough losses.

Xavier Valley and Mekhi Cameron scored 11 points apiece to join King in double figures. Evans Kipruto led Barton with 15 points and eight rebounds.

The Tigers will remain home to face Northwest Kansas Technical College Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Mavericks are 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the Jayhawk Conference.