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Barons’ season ends with first round tournament loss

By Taylor Hereford

Director of Marketing

CLEVELAND, TENN – Riding the momentum of winning five of their last six regular season games, the sixth seeded Brewton-Parker College men’s basketball team entered the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Tournament with hopes of making a lasting impression on the rest of the conference.

Those hopes were dashed in the first round as, despite bringing a 19 point deficit down to single digits twice in the second half, the Barons (12-19, 8-11 SSAC) fell to the third seeded Lee University Flames, 77-65.

Sir-Lee Mason, one of Lee’s starting guards and a member of the All-Conference Team, led all scorers with 26 points, 21 of which came in the first half on seven three pointers. 

“After the first half that Mason had, we were fortunate to be down only ten at halftime,” said head coach Steve Barker.  “He is a quick guard who can shoot the ball.  He hurt us last year in the tournament and hurt us again this year.”

The Barons had three players finish in double figures.  George Fudge was the leading scorer with 18 points.  Jurbien Byrd finished with 12, while Adam Holmes had 11.  Jason Moore finished with a team high eight rebounds.  Warren Beaulah, the Barons’ leading scorer and also a member of the All-Conference Team, was held to six points on 2-of-12 shooting.

As a team, the Barons shot 40 percent from the field (23-of-57), 27 percent from behind the arc (5-of-18), and 56 percent from the free throw line (14-of-25).

“We played in front of 2,500 people which made for a great game atmosphere,” said Barker.  “I’m really proud of how we played.”

As Barker reflects on the past season, he knows his team has come a long way since the start of the season Oct. 27.

“We started the season slow and people began to count us out a month or so ago,” he said.  “We made some personnel adjustments in January which helped us a lot.  From the middle of January through February, we had a great run.  That run allowed us to make the conference tournament.  I’m proud of these guys.”

-BPC-