By Nicholas Kolsin, Sports Reporter
The UNC Pembroke Men’s basketball team defeated the Barton College Bulldogs 82-67 at home on Wednesday night. The Braves tenacious defense and hustle on the rebounds were the main catalysts for the win.
The Braves improved to 13-3 on the season and remain undefeated in Conference Carolinas play moving to 7-0. Barton College dropped to 6-11 overall and 3-4 in the conference.
After a close battle in the first half, the Braves started off strong before the Bulldogs managed to tie things up at 22-22. The Braves then pieced together a scoring run to close out the half and hold a 41-32 lead going into the locker room.
Coming out of the half, the Braves offense found some familiarity, and that is closing games out when it matters the most, and that’s what they did, piecing together multiple scoring runs and holding off a comeback by the Bulldogs to pick up the win at home.
Forward Josh Berenbaum led the team with seventeen points and ten rebounds, finishing off the night with a double-double in only eighteen minutes of play. Berenbaum also led the team with three three-pointers. Freshman Dallas Gardner brought the energy off the bench with eleven points in 12 minutes of action.
“Coming off the bench, I know that we need energy at times, so I’m making sure that I’m always energetic on and off the court at all times,” Gardner said after the game.
The Braves’ defense was rolling as they had eight blocks as a team and held the Bulldogs to only 32.4% from the field compared to their 57.9%. In addition to this, the Braves won the defensive rebound margin by 21.
“When they’re missing shots at a high clip if you could get those rebounds, corral them, and get the extra possessions, it really helps you in the long run.” UNCP men’s basketball coach Drew Richards said when asked about the rebound margin.
The Braves are back at home Saturday at 4 p.m. when they welcome Lees-McRae to town for a Conference Carolinas clash.