Hot start sends Barton women past Cloud County in Region 6 opener #GoBarton

The Barton Community College women's basketball team got off to a hot start Saturday evening and never looked back, closing out Fleske Fieldhouse for the 2025-26 season by cruising to an 88-64 victory over Cloud County Community College.

Barton improves to 15-16 overall, advancing to its ninth straight Region 6/Plains District Quarterfinal as the Cougars travel Tuesday to face second-seeded and No. 9-ranked Dodge City Community College in a 5:30 p.m. tip. Cloud County completes its season at 14-16.

Barton seized control early and never let go, turning a brief 5-4 deficit into a runaway victory behind a blistering first-quarter surge, scoring on nine of its final 10 possessions of the period. The Cougars connected on four three-pointers in the opening quarter and used back-to-back runs of 7-0 and 11-0 to flip the momentum and build a commanding 29-11 lead after the opening ten minutes.

The advantage only grew from there as Barton's efficiency and rebounding dictated the pace. The Cougars pushed the margin to 48-28 at halftime and stretched the lead to as many as 31 points in the fourth quarter while shooting 56.3 percent from the field and dominating the glass 41-24. Barton also turned those extra opportunities into 15 second-chance points and 36 points in the paint while dishing out 17 assists on 36 made baskets.

Individually, Regina Donanu powered the offense with a game-high 32 points on 13-of-22 shooting, adding five assists and three steals. Christal Long provided a strong all-around effort with a career-high 20 points and 12 rebounds for her third double-double of the season, while Mary Akinde controlled the interior with her 14th double-double, pouring in 15 points and 14 rebounds to go with five blocked shots. Mersadie Spray added 17 points, four assists, and four steals, while Alaina Eck chipped in four points and two assists as Barton's starting five accounted for all 88 points.

Camiah Muldrow led three Cloud County players in double figures with 21 points, Sofija Todorovic adding 14 points off the bench and Amanda Makela contributing 10 points.