The Lincoln girls played their best half of basketball against the #2 ranked, defending state champions Tipton Lady Cardinals on a cold Thursday night in Lincoln, losing 69-25.
It was 20-8 after one and 34-14 at the half. Tipton played hard-nosed defense and the 20 point deficit is not as bad as it could've been.Tipton has three potential All-State players even after graduating four last season. Their seventh graders are predicted to be ever better.
In the third, Tipton ran away from Lincoln as it was 65-20 as Tipton came out to play.
Tipton head coach Jason Culpepper said, "We were laid back in the first half, but played well in the third."
Lincoln head coach Brett Bryant was amazed by the way his team played in the first half.
"We played our best game of the year against the best team we have faced," Bryant said. "Where our energy came from, I don't know. We played our worst game against Cole Camp. We could be .500 if we played this well all of the time. "
Sophomore Clara Williams had 24 points to lead Tipton.
Lincoln fell to 3-11 while Tipton jumped to 13-2 with losses only to superpowers Skyline and defending Class 3 state champion Eldorado Springs.
LINCOLN (25): A. Mellen, 8; M. Yearout, 7, R. Hellend, 5; Eckhoff, 2; D. Gillespie, 3.
TIPTON (69): Schlotzhaver, 16; Williams, 24; Petree, 2; Bailey, 19; Crane, 2; Edwards, 6.
