Basketball Recap: Center Takes a Loss

Center was the 64-53 winner over Lincoln when they last played one another back in February of 2022, but their luck changed this time around. The Center Cougars fell 68-60 to the Lincoln Fighting Zebras on Saturday. While losing is never fun, the Cougars can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 771st, while the Fighting Zebras are ranked 375th).

When it comes to explaining why Center lost, don't look at Andy McLear. Despite the final result, he posted 21 points and three blocks. McLear is also on a roll when it comes to steals, as he's now grabbed two or more in the last three games he's played. Nathan Nelson was another key player, dropping a double-double on 13 points and 15 boards.

It was another big night for Triton Cox, who dropped a double-double on 19 points and 12 boards for Lincoln. The dominant performance gave Cox a new career-high in rebounds. Another player making a difference was Mason Volzer, who went 5 of 6 on his way to 13 points.

Center has traveled a rocky road recently having lost three of their last four contests, which put a noticeable dent in their 4-7 record this season. As for Lincoln, they are on a roll lately: they've won five of their last six matchups, which provided a nice bump to their 7-4 record this season.

Center will take on Fortuna in a tournament on Thursday. Center is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 56.3 points per game this season. As for Lincoln, they will be taking part in a tournament against Mesa Verde at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Lincoln knows how to get points on the board -- the squad has finished with 55 points or more in their past five games -- so hopefully Mesa Verde likes a good challenge.