No. 18 Cougars control opener in 74-67 win over Arizona Western #GoBarton

The No. 18 Barton Community College men's basketball team started its 2025-26 campaign on the winning side Friday night, securing a 74-67 victory over Arizona Western College at the Gila Monster Shootout in Thatcher, Arizona.

After suffering a quick 2-0 deficit, Barton answered with a 7-0 run to take the lead into the under-16 media timeout and never look back. The Cougars maintained the advantage the rest of the way, allowing the Matadors to close within three only twice over the next four minutes.

Barton created the needed separation late in the first half, piecing together an 11-0 run over a two-minute span. The Cougars carried that momentum to close the half on a 14-2 stretch and take a 37-21 lead into halftime.

The double-digit cushion remained throughout much of the second half, stretching to as many as 19 following an Aris Rodriguez personal 5-2 run with 9:08 remaining. Arizona Western continued to battle, trimming the deficit to seven on three separate occasions in the final minute before a Rodriguez steal and slam, followed by two Noah Williams free throws, sealing the Cougar victory.

Barton will conclude their Arizona trip Saturday night with a big early season test against host and No. 15 Eastern Arizona College in a 9:00 p.m. (CT) tip-off inside the Guitteau Gymnasium.