 The Loggers prefer a slow-paced, methodical game, forcing the
opposition to play defense for the entirety of the 35-second shot
clock. The Lynx, on the other hand, typically prefer a high rate of
speed, using full-court pressure defense to create havoc and score
points in transition.
For the most part, Lincoln College was unable to dictate the
tempo of Saturday's contest at Jack Nutt Arena. But, that was OK.
The Lynx beat the Loggers at their own game, prevailing 57-42 by
being efficient on offense and dedicated on defense.
Lincoln College coach Pat Lepper was appreciative of the way his
team embraced their game plan against the Loggers.
"For some of our guys, because we press and play up-tempo, it's a
long year to do that for 30 games straight," said Lepper. "For us to
kind of pack it in and be more conservative with how we press, I
think our guys were kind of excited about that. … The main thing I
was pleased with was that we stayed disciplined the whole game with
our defensive idea of staying in a packed defense.
"Offensively, we made sure that we got good shots and did the
same thing that they were doing to us. We wanted to run some of
their stuff and make them guard us for 30 seconds."
The Lynx made 21 of 38 shots from the field, including 6 of 10
from beyond the 3-point arc. Time and time again, the Lynx would
make an extra pass to open teammates, as 13 of their 21 field goals
came with assists.
"We just took good shots, and we have guys who can shoot it,"
said Lepper. "When we take good shots, we're capable of shooting a
high percentage. I think we did that tonight. I'm really pleased
with them. I know some of them don't think we played our game, but I
think we played a well-executed game plan. Guys shared the
basketball and everybody did their job."
Lincoln College was led in scoring by Aaron Simpson, who finished
with 14 points. Andrew Jordan added 13 points and six rebounds,
while JoVaughn Gaines pitched in nine points and five assists for
the Lynx.
Friday leads Lady Lynx to OT victory
The story of the women's game was a heroic performance by
sophomore forward Ally Friday.
She finished with 21 points, including six crucial points in
overtime, to lead the Lady Lynx past Lincoln Land 64-58.
After regulation ended with a 52-52 tie, she hit three free
throws in the opening minute of overtime to put Lincoln College
ahead.
[to top of second column] |
Friday had an opportunity to add to that lead after stealing
the ball from the Lady Loggers on a breakaway. But she was
fouled hard as she went up for the lay-in and stayed down for
several seconds, holding her head. As she was treated by a
trainer on the bench, teammate Jessica Miller shot and made
Friday's two free throws.
After getting cleared to return, Friday stepped back into the
action and promptly sank a 3-pointer that proved to be an
insurmountable 60-54 lead.
For Lady Lynx coach Carol Wilson, it was a memorable moment in
Friday's distinguished career. She finished second in the Mid-West
Athletic Conference's Freshman of the Year vote last season.
"Ally can take over any game she wants to, when she wants to,"
said Wilson. "In the first half, she rushed her shots a little bit.
But, she's just a gamer.
"I knew when she went down, she wasn't going to stay out. Ally
came up big."
It was one of the better wins for the Lady Lynx this season. The
Lady Loggers had a 35-22 halftime lead, thanks in large part to the
3-point shooting of guard Hayley Jamerson.
But the Lincoln Land offense began to struggle when Wilson put
freshman forward Shannon Hall on Jamerson in the second half.
"We added some speed there with what Shannon is able to do," said
Wilson. "We tried to create some havoc for her, or to keep her from
at least catching the ball."
The win -- the first of the conference season for the Lady Lynx
-- had symbolic value for Wilson, who hoped it would be the start of
a streak of victories.
"We still have a lot of work to do. We needed a win," said
Wilson. "It feels good to get a conference win and get off the
doormat and be up there tied with Lincoln Land. Hopefully we can
keep building from here."
Aside from Friday's 21 points, the Lady Lynx benefited from 10
points from Hall and from Erika Spiller, who also had nine rebounds.
Cassidy Jennings had nine points for Lincoln College, while Lincoln
native Ed Tookes added four points and 11 rebounds.
[By JUSTIN TIERNEY]
Lincoln College men's basketball
Lincoln
College women's basketball
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