Lincoln fans dodged the deer population on the roads as the six seeded Cardinals traveled to Osceola last Tuesday for district play against third seeded Marion C. Early (Morrisville). Missed free throws and turnovers late doomed the Cardinals in the fourth quarter of a very competitive game, losing 45-36. Lincoln could only muster a basket by Ben Eckhoff in the final frame as Morrisville went 8 for 10 from the charity stripe to pull away late in the contest.
Lincoln trailed just 35-34 entering the fourth quarter.The Cardinals led 24-22 at the half and 16-14 after one in an up-and-down battle for basketball supremacy.
Lincoln coach Tyler Burke commented on the heartfelt losing effort, "It was really a reflection on our entire season. I was proud of the way we came out and competed. We executed our defensive game plan and did a nice job on their best players. In the end, we weren't able to take care of the ball and create good shots down the stretch. We gave ourselves a chance to win, but couldn't get over that last hurdle."
Lincoln was 5 for 11 from the free throw line while Morrisville enjoyed a 13 of 18 margin from the line. Morrisville's defense deserves much credit as they pressured
Lincoln's young guards in the fourth with a textbook full court press forcing costly turnovers as Lincoln drove down the sidelines losing the ball out of bounds on several occasions.
The BCE will wrap up the Cardinal's 7-18 season in the coming weeks.
LINCOLN (36): Eckhoff, 8; Benham, 4; Smith, 8; Parrott, 4; Sanders, 12.
MORRISVILLE (45): Arthur, 14; Presley, 8; Burrow, 3; Jet, 13; Mitchell, 4.
