PARK HILLS, Mo. — Mineral Area, Mo. surprised the No. 18 Barton Cougars 70-66 with a closing 11-5 offensive burst.

Noah Williams converted back-to-back baskets for a 61-59 lead with 1:55 left. 

Mineral Area took charge with an 8-0 burst in 45 seconds for a 67-61 lead on scores by Edwon Duling's four points, two off a 'soft' loose ball foul, and baskets by Terron Garrett and Maki Joyner. 

Mikey Williams' basket made it 68-66, but Garrett converted two free throws.

Barton's Aris Rodriguez (15), Rucker (12) and Mikey Wiliams (11) scored in double figures. Mineral Area's Nazir Allen contributed 23 points and  trio of late-game blocks. Garrett added 19 points.

Barton jumped out of the gates quickly, racing to a 17-7 advantage by the 11:04 mark of the first half. Mineral Area countered with an 11-0 stretch to grab its first lead, but the Cougars closed the half strong, finishing on an 11-2 run over the final 2:40 to take a 33-26 lead into the locker rooms.

The Cardinals used a 12-2 surge to lead 40-37. Barton responded with four straight 3-pointers two by Blake Rucker for a 53-53 tie.

The Cougars (2-1) play State Fair, Mo. at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the newly renovated Fleske Fieldhouse.

BC 33 33 — 66 

MA 26 44 — 70

BARTON (2-1)—Rodriguez 15, Rucker 12, Mikey Williams 11, Ramirez, Muchitsch, Chuoi, Noah Williams, Byrd, Mbala, Totals 66

MINERAL AREA (1-2) Nazir Allen 9-15 (4-6) 1-1 23, Terron Garrett 7-15 (1-7) 4-6 19, Duling 2-7 (0-3) 4-4 8, Binion 2-5 (0-1) 0-0 4, Ruey 1-5 (0-2) 0-0 2, Joyner 2-5 (0-1) 1-2 5,  Shields 1-2 0-0 2, Smith 1-5 (1-1) 0-0 3, Richard 0-2 (0-1) 0-2 0, Rogers 2-5 (0-1) 0-0 4, Totals 27-66 (6-23) 10-15 70

Rebounds—BC (Muchitsch 10), MA (Garrett 10). Assists—MA 11 (Duling 3, Stewart 3). Steals— BC; MA 6 (Allen 3)