Kirksten Mitchell led all scorers with 15 points and Jasmine McDonald recorded her second double-double in three games as Mount Olive cut a double-digit deficit down to one, but the rally came up short as the Trojans fell to Barton 54-50 in Conference Carolinas women's basketball Thursday at Kornegay Arena. McDonald finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Mount Olive (12-5 overall, 8-5 Conference Carolinas) struggled with turnovers for much of the game. Barton took advantage of the Trojans' miscues to race out to a 7-1 lead. A steal and layup by Elaine Morgan capped a 16-5 Barton run to start the contest.
The Trojans answered by getting the ball inside. Three consecutive layups, two by Mitchell and another by Tamara Nesmith closed the gap back to five. After the Bulldogs (13-4, 12-1) pushed the lead back to 12, Mount Olive made its push.
Joneiqua Gary delivered a three-pointer and Alexandra Silva and Mitchell followed with fastbreak layups to trim the deficit to 32-29 at intermission.
Mount Olive got as close as a point when Nesmith made a jumpshot one minute into the second half. With the chance to gain the lead, the Trojans' shooting touch went away. For six minutes, Mount Olive was held to one free throw. After a Nesmith basket, the Trojans fell silent for more than four minutes.
Barton built the lead to seven and let its defense do the rest. Mount Olive got within 48-44 on a McDonald free throw with 1:15 remaining.
Nesmith added eight points and 11 rebounds.
Shante Neal and Nyeshea Willie delivered 13 points apiece for Barton, while Elaine Morgan finished with 10.
Mount Olive returns to the court Saturday when the Trojans travel to North Greenville University for a 2 p.m. start.