The Lincoln Leopards came tearing into Friday's game with four straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 25.5 points) and they left with even more momentum. They managed a 45-40 win over Pike Valley. This was payback for Lincoln, who suffered a 61-58 loss the last time these two teams met.
Several Panthers players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Andrew Cooper, who scored 15 points along with eight rebounds and two steals. Ezra Benne was another key contributor, scoring seven points along with eight rebounds and two steals.
Even though they lost, Pike Valley smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 18 offensive rebounds. That's the most offensive rebounds they've managed all season.
Lincoln now has a winning record of 6-5. As for Pike Valley, their defeat ended a five-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 7-5.
Lincoln will head out on the road to face off against the Leopards on Monday. LaCrosse is on a three-game streak of home wins, the Leopards a four-game streak of away wins -- so someone will have to leave a streak behind on the court. Pike Valley will take on the Bulldogs at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Osborne is coming into the game hot, having won their last ten games.
