Allie Owens
HAGERSTOWN, Ind. – Although the outcome wasn’t determined, the Lincoln girls basketball team took control early Friday night as the Golden Eagles won 44-29 to advance to championship contest in the Wayne County Tournament.
Lincoln (7-8) now had three wins in a row as the Golden Eagles meet two-time defending champ Hagerstown (11-6) for the title on Saturday night.
“We’re happy to be in the championship game,” Lincoln Head Coach Rob Bills said. “They’re on a 10-year run where they’re in the championship game. We used to do that and we want to get back to that. They’re really a great team.”
Lincoln began the night with a 9-2 advantage after the first period.
“I was pleased with the start and pretty pleased all through the night,” Bills said. “We were ready to go. We got through it and we’re moving on to the next game.”
“We wanted to set the tone with our press and I thought we did that,” Bills continued. “But we missed some shots early.”
However, the Golden Eagles didn’t miss much in the second quarter as they built a 26-10 lead at the intermission with Allie Owens leading the charge with 10 points in the frame.
“She can do that,” Bills said. “All of them can. That’s the thing about our team. We really have five or six kids who can score 10 or 12 points on any given night.”
Kerrigan Neff
Madi Clay
Kerrigan Neff led Lincoln with 14 points, while Owens finished with 13. Emmie Pugh tossed in seven points. Kylei Klein grabbed nine rebounds and scored five points.
Madi Clay led Northeastern with 13 points. Lauren York was next with six points. Tatum Jordan pulled down nine rebounds.
Northeastern (2-13) entertains Tri in a Tri-Eastern Conference affair on Tuesday, Jan. 12.
Box Score
NORTHEASTERN (2-13) – Lauren York 3 0-0 6, Tatum Jordan 1 2-6 4, Madi Clay 2 8-10 13, Chaise Helton 0 0-0 0, Mikayla Hornung 1 0-2 2, Leah Hoskins 2 0-0 4, Kasey Andrews 0 0-0 0. Team – 9 10-18 29.
LINCOLN (7-8) – Allie Owens 5 0-0 13, Emmie Pugh 3 1-2 7, Kerrigan Neff 5 3-4 14, Kylei Klein 2 1-2 5, Olivia Davis 1 0-0 2, Laynie Russell 1 0-0 2, Hannah Hall 0 0-1 0, Dakota Harrison 0 0-0 0, Rachel Merida 0 0-0 0, Brianna Sparks 0 1-1 1, Jessica Harmer 0 0-0 0, Kami Laymon 0 0-0 0. Team – 17 6-9 44.
Northeastern 2 10 22 29
Lincoln 9 26 37 44
3-pointers – Northeastern 1 (Clay 1), Lincoln 4 (Owens 3, Neff 1). Rebounds – Northeastern 41 (Jordan 9), Lincoln 34 (Klein 9). Turnovers – Northeastern 24, Lincoln 22. Fouls – Northeastern 14, Lincoln 17.