Kylei Klein
LIBERTY, Ind. – The Lincoln girls basketball team won its 10th straight game on Tuesday as the Golden Eagles defeated Union County 38-22 in Tri-Eastern Conference action.
“It’s a conference win in a really tough building against a really well-coached team,” Lincoln coach Rob Bills said. “(Union County coach Scott Gray) does an outstanding job. His kids are always prepared and always make you work.”
The Golden Eagles led at the end of every period as their advantage grew.
“Our game plan was to pound it inside,” Bills said. “We just didn’t execute as well as we should on offense and that’s a credit to their defense.”
“We just struggle against them offensively,” Bills continued. “Their pressure made us tentative.”
Kylei Klein led the Golden Eagles with 19 points.
“She carried us a little bit,” Bills said. “That’s what we need out of her.”
Klein also finished with 15 rebounds.
“Our defense was fine,” Gray said. “Klein is such a mismatch for us. They’re a good team. They were ready to play.”
Sierra Dowler, who was honored on senior night, scored five points for the Patriots as did Tara Williams.
“Our struggles have been on offense,” Gray said. “They did a fantastic job defending us. We got in the paint some, but we we’re patient enough to score.”
Emmie Pugh added six points and 11 rebounds for Lincoln with Olivia Davis contributing five points and six rebounds.
Williams led Union County with 10 rebounds.
Lincoln won the JV contest 23-19 as Rachel Merida and Jessica Harmer led the Golden Eagles with six points each. Ryanne Davis tossed in five. For the Patriots, Zoe Murphy led the way with five points.
Both teams return to action on Friday in their regular season finales against TEC foes as the Golden Eagles (18-3, 4-2) entertain Northeastern, while the Patriots (6-15, 1-5) visit Centerville.
Box Score
LINCOLN (18-3, 4-2) – Allie Owens 2 0-0 4, Laynie Russell 1 2-2 4, Emmie Pugh 3 0-0 6, Kylei Klein 4 11-13 19, Olivia Davis 2 1-3 5, Hannah Hall 0 0-0 0, Lauren Weston 0 0-0 0. Team – 12 14-18 38.
UNION COUNTY (6-15, 1-5) – Sierra Dowler 1 2-2 5, Taylor Pinkerton 1 0-0 2, Tara Williams 1 2-4 5, Fayth Hill 2 0-0 4, Rainey Shepler 1 0-0 2, Brooklyn Wilson 0 0-2 0, Kyla Miller 2 0-0 4, Zoe Murphy 0 0-0 0, Samantha Ramey 0 0-0 0. Team – 8 4-8 22.
Lincoln 10 20 25 38
Union Co. 8 15 19 22
3-pointers – Lincoln 0, Union County 2 (Dowler, Williams). Rebounds – Lincoln 45 (Klein 15, Pugh 11), Union County 31 (Williams 10). Turnovers – Lincoln 12, Union County 11. Fouls – Lincoln 8, Union County 14. Fouled out – Hill. JV score – Lincoln 23, Union County 19.