WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA – The University of South Carolina Beaufort women's basketball team hit the road for a non-conference game at Barton College on Saturday afternoon. After a strong opening quarter, the Sand Sharks were unable to hold off a big second-half from Barton College, falling 56–48.
With the loss, USCB drops to 2–2 on the season, while Barton improves to 1–3.
Janiyah Heyward led the Sand Sharks with 16 points on seven made field goals. Carolina Coria grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, and Lydia Gattozzi contributed a team-best four assists to go along with three steals.
USCB opened the game, knocking down 10 shots in the first quarter. Heyward scored the team's first six points, sparking an early 12–3 advantage after baskets from Gattozzi and Ellen Meyer. The Sand Sharks forced two turnovers during that stretch, and Heyward's jumper in the final minute pushed the lead to double digits as she reached 10 points in the quarter.
In the second quarter, both teams traded baskets early. Bri Pelote scored USCB's first four points of the frame, and Heyward extended the lead to 13, the Sand Sharks' largest of the afternoon. Barton responded with a 7–0 run, cutting the lead to seven before Gattozzi halted the momentum with a jumper. Samantha Bardonaro pushed the advantage back to double digits with a three-point play, and USCB held a 37–28 lead at halftime despite a late Barton three-pointer.
The momentum shifted in the third quarter. Barton opened the half with a quick three-pointer and followed with an 18–0 run, converting six field goals, including three from beyond the arc, while capitalizing on eight USCB turnovers. The Bulldogs carried a 46–37 lead into the fourth quarter.
Barton extended its lead to 48–37 early in the final quarter, their largest of the game. Taniyah Bowman ended the Bulldogs' run with two points, and Heyward followed with another basket, but the Sand Sharks could not close the gap. USCB scored the final three points of the game, yet Barton held on for the eight-point victory.
The Sand Sharks finished with 45 rebounds and 11 assists on 17 made shots while forcing 17 turnovers.
USCB returns home Tuesday afternoon for a 1:30 p.m. tipoff against Lenoir-Rhyne University at The Cove.
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