Barton Women Edge Livingstone 77-72

Celeste Bailey scored 15 points as Barton overcame 24 turnovers to open its season with a win at Wilson Gymnasium.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Basketball

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Barton women's basketball defeated Livingstone 77-72 in its season opener at Wilson Gymnasium on Monday, November 9, 2026. Barton held off a late Livingstone rally, with Jahriell Murchison's 3-pointer and two closing free throws from Celeste Bailey and Layne Sleight sealing the win.

Why it matters

The opening victory gives Barton an early foothold as it looks to build on last season's 19-10 record. The game also showed the team's rebounding edge, 46-28, offset a high turnover total in a close contest.

Barton shot 43.5% (27 of 62) and 8-of-23 from three-point range, while Livingstone shot 44.4% (28 of 63). Barton's 46-28 rebounding edge was offset by 24 turnovers that Livingstone turned into 30 points, and Nielle Reaves led Livingstone with 25 points.

The players

Barton College

Barton College is a private liberal arts college in Wilson, North Carolina, that competes in NCAA Division II athletics.

Celeste Bailey

Celeste Bailey is a Barton women's basketball player who led the team with 15 points in the season-opening win.

Livingstone College

Livingstone College is a historically Black private college in Salisbury, North Carolina, whose women's basketball team fell to Barton in the opener.

The details

Barton led 45-41 at halftime and held its biggest lead at eight points, but Livingstone cut the margin to 73-72 with 13 seconds left. Murchison's 3-pointer with 48 seconds remaining had put Barton up 73-68 before Bailey and Sleight closed the game from the line.

Monday, November 9, 2026: Barton defeats Livingstone 77-72 in its season opener at Wilson Gymnasium.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026: Barton plays at Elizabeth City State.
Saturday, November 14, 2026: Barton hosts Newberry at 5 p.m. in the Southeast Region Crossover showcase.
Sunday, November 15, 2026: Barton hosts Augusta at 1 p.m. in the showcase.

Season Trajectory

Barton opens the Division II women's season with a win that sets a competitive early tone before a run of games, including a Southeast Region Crossover showcase this weekend. A strong start in these showcase games would give the team momentum heading into the rest of its schedule.

Fans of Barton women's basketball have three games in the coming week, including a road trip to Elizabeth City State and two home showcase games on November 14 and 15. The opener's turnover and rebounding numbers offer a useful early read on how the team's schedule will unfold.

The takeaway

Barton's win shows that turnover control will decide close games this early in the season, and the team's rebounding edge gives it a foundation to build on. Watching how it handles the next two showcase games will show whether that edge holds.

What happens next

Barton plays at Elizabeth City State on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, and hosts Newberry and Augusta in the Southeast Region Crossover showcase on November 14 and 15, 2026.