Johnie Logue
Sports Reporter
The Tipton Cardinals came in at 14-2 in a highly anticipated match up on the road with the 15-0 Lincoln Cardinals.
Like the last two games, Lincoln fell behind early, trailing 4-0 to the delight of a good crowd of Tipton followers.
However, the Cardinals would tie the game at 6 all before Tipton would take over and lead 15-8 after one.
The second quarter saw Lincoln make a come back to take the lead at 26-22 at halftime. Tipton senior guard Jack Moon, who is as quick and smooth as anyone around, would score all of his eight points in the first half as Lincoln's defense came out strong once again as they have over the course of recent games in the third quarter holding Tipton to just two points.
Tipton, who came in averaging 66 points per contest, simply went dead from the floor.
Both teams would pick things up in a wild fourth quarter as Lincoln led 49-32 at the 1:57 mark before the Cardinals unloaded their bench.Tipton would cut into the margin as the final score read 49-36.
Lincoln coach Tyler Burke commented, "They came out aggressive in the first quarter and we came out super aggressive in the second half. Our kids really wanted to win this game. I have been telling Connor Lynde to be more aggressive. Cam (Everhart) stepped up with a big stop and hit a big three."
Center Mack Hesse had five blocks and really battled underneath.
"My teammates dropped down on the weak side and helped me out all night," Hesse said.
Lynde put on another exhibition at the free throw line going 6-7 to finish with 21 points.
The two teams could meet again in the Kaysinger Conference Tournament in about a week. Lincoln is seeded first and Tipton second.
Lincoln plays in the Clinton Tournament this week, a round robin affair with just four teams. Everybody plays each other over three days and the best record wins.
Coach Burke said, "I just hope our legs hold out for the Kaysinger Tournament."
Lincoln should be the favorite over Clinton, Pleasant Hill and Skyline.
Lincoln moved to 16-0 and Tipton fell to 14-3.
LINCOLN (49): Lynde 21, Johnson 2, Everhart 3, Hesse 11, Eckhoff 10, Mundy 2.
TIPTON (36): J. Moon 8, Combs 5, Bailey 9, Baer 1, Z. Moon 4, Haas 4, Pettigrew 5.
