The Lincoln girls traveled to Lakeland High School on Friday night and came away with a 42-40 sweet victory. The game started slow with a 6-6 first quarter score but things would heat up in a back-and-forth battle that had the fans on the edge of their seats throughout the contest.
With many ties and several lead changes, it came down to two free throws by Alyessa Mellen with 7.5 seconds on the clock breaking a 40-40 tie. The Lady Vikings led 38-37 when Adisyn Pennell make the bounce pass of her life with 58.7 to go to Mellen breaking in the lane for a go-ahead basket at 39-38.Mellen hit another free throw with 14.5 on the clock to make it 40-38.
Lakeland's Nevaeh Echavrria, a thorn in Lincoln's side the entire contest, stole the ball at half court for a driving layup to tie the game. Mellen drove the lane, was fouled and made both free throws for the win as the Lady Vikings, now 1-4, missed their shot as the horn sounded.
Mellen had 21 points.
Lincoln led 18-17 at the half and trailed 32-27 after three.
Lincoln coach Brett Bryant commented, "We worked all week on passing the ball around the horn and the girls did a nice job. It was by far our best game so far. I played some of the younger girls more tonight."
Senior Mackenzie Yearout said, "It felt good to get our first win, as a senior."
LINCOLN (42): Mellen, 21; Hellend, 8; Pennell, 7; Harvey, 4; Eckhoff, 2.
LAKELAND (40): Jefferson, 4; Buer, 4; Meeker, 12; Echvarria, 9; Hughes, 4.
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Earlier in the week, the Lady Cardinals lost to Butler at home on Monday night, 43-31.
The score was 5-5 after one and 16-11 at the half. However, the Lady Bears would extend the margin to 31-20 after three and the Lady Cardinals couldn't recover.
Alyssa Mellen had 13 but the young Lincoln team had too many turnovers as the mood of the game favored the now 2-3 Lady Bears.
Butler head coach Eric Fairchild, formerly at Lincoln's helm just two years ago commented, "Both teams played hard. We had trouble scoring early. We don't have a true post player. Our 5'10" freshman Kylee Dubray is a forward but we moved her to center. We played two possible final four teams in Appleton City and Skyline early on so we are still trying to find out who we are in terms of what we do best."
His three freshmen, Dubray, Jenna Tourtillot and Gabbie Carmichael combined for 25 points.
Lincoln coach Brett Bryant is also searching for answers.
"We lack confidence and we panic," he said. "We don't dribble with purpose and we play out of control. We have three seniors. Danika Gillispie came over from softball this year and she didn't play tonight due to an injury. So we are young and inexperienced."
LINCOLN (31): Mellen, 15; Harvey, 5; Helland, 5; Yearout, 6.
BUTLER (43): Carmichael, 11; Cook, 2; Dubray, 5; Fritts, 6; McCoun, 3; Tourtillott, 9; Humphrey, 6.
