Sewardsaints.com
Trailing 27-20 at halftime of Saturday's contest against Barton at The Greenhouse, the Seward County women exploded for 30 points in the third quarter, helping push them to a 64-56 home win.
It marks the Lady Saints (12-4, 7-3 KJCCC) second win in a row to kick off the spring semester, as well as the third straight win over the Cougars (6-11, 4-7) dating back to last season (2024-25).
Seward joins Hutchinson, Coffeyville and Garden City at 7-3 in league play, with the four teams tied for second behind Butler and Dodge City, both 9-1.
The Lady Saints struggled offensively in the first half, shooting just 20.7 percent from the field (6-of-29). Barton built its largest lead late in the second quarter, going up 27-16, but Seward closed the half with the final two baskets — a jumper and two free throws from freshman Au'Rayona Seals — to cut the deficit to 27-20 at the break.
The Cougars opened the third quarter pushing the lead to nine but the Lady Saints cut it to five midway through off two Kimora Fagan free throws. Those free throws kicked off an 8-0 run that saw Seward take a 34-33 lead. Seward used another run, this time a 6-0 run that saw Destiny Alexander can a pair of free throws, Trinitee Holmes convert a layup and Grace Posch bury a three in the final minute as Seward led 50-44 heading to the fourth.
Seward led throughout the fourth quarter. Barton got as close as six points multiple times but Avery Marchino scored 10 points in the quarter to help push Seward to victory. Marchino finished with 22 points and five rebounds, shooting a perfect 14-14 from the free throw line.
Alexander chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds, Seals finished with nine points, three assists and three steals while Holmes had nine points and three steals.
The Lady Saints shot 30.5 percent (18-59) compared to Barton's 37.3 percent (19-51). Both teams struggled from three with Barton shooting 1-8 and Seward 3-20. Seward cashed in from the free throw line shooting 25-27 (92.6 percent) while Barton was 17-28 (60.7 percent). Barton held an edge in rebounding, 39-35, but Seward forced 28 Cougar turnovers compared to 21 of their own.
Barton's Regina Donanu finished with a game-high 27 points off the bench. Mary Akinde added a double-double of 10 points and 18 rebounds.
Seward turns its attention to the Cowley Tigers next, traveling to Arkansas City on Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. tip. Brock Kappelmann will have the call on 1270/92.3, pregame at 5:15.
