HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The No. 1 team in the tournament opened its play with a double digit win on Monday at the Sports Arena, as the Barton County Cougars beat No. 17 &nbsp;Walters State 83-68.&nbsp;

Sophomore forward Myles Thompson led Barton County with 22 points. Sophomore guard Lajae Jones had 18. Sophomore forward Ramondo Battle led Walters with 17 points.&nbsp;

The Cougars led Walters at halftime 42-30.&nbsp;

Barton out-rebounded Walters 42-30. &nbsp;The Cougars shot 50.0% from the field, 31.6% from the 3-point line and 62.2% from the free throw line.&nbsp;

Barton County will play the winter of No. 9 Cowley and No. 8 Northwest Florida State on Thursday, March 27 at noon.&nbsp;

Daren Dunn and Rob Dreher will have the game play-by-play on Tuesday. Tune in to KWBW 1450 AM/98.5 FM.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711406339645.jpeg" alt="Barton County warming up before their first game of the tournament. The No. 1 Cougars knocked Wallace State of the tournament in a 83-68 win on Monday, March 25, 2024. Photo by Emmie Boese." />
 <figcaption>Barton County warming up before their first game of the tournament. The No. 1 Cougars knocked Wallace State of the tournament in a 83-68 win on Monday, March 25, 2024. Photo by Emmie Boese.</figcaption>
 </figure>EMMIE BOESE&nbsp; Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The No. 1 team in the tournament opened its play with a double digit win on Monday at the Sports Arena, as the Barton County Cougars beat No. 17 &nbsp;Walters State 83-68.&nbsp; Sophomore forward Myles Thompson led Barton County with 22 points. Sophomore guard Lajae Jones had 18. Sophomore forward Ramondo Battle led Walters with 17 points.&nbsp; The Cougars led Walters at halftime 42-30.&nbsp; Barton out-rebounded Walters 42-30. &nbsp;The Cougars shot 50.0% from the field, 31.6% from the 3-point line and 62.2% from the free throw line.&nbsp; Barton County will play the winter of No. 9 Cowley and No. 8 Northwest Florida State on Thursday, March 27 at noon.&nbsp; Daren Dunn and Rob Dreher will have the game play-by-play on Tuesday. Tune in to KWBW 1450 AM/98.5 FM.&nbsp;

🏀 NJCAA Tourney: No. 1 Barton moves on