NEWS RELEASE - 12/05/03

Lynx Top Sauk Valley

Lincoln College won a foul shooting contest as they defeated Sauk Valley 83-77 in the Courier Classic at Lincoln Friday night.   The victory gives the Lady Lynx a 4-7 record while Sauk Valley drops to 2-9.
 
Lincoln College was not able to put the game in the win column until the final 14 seconds when Nicole Dearing hit a pair of foul shots for an 81-77 lead.  The Lady Lynx led throughout the second half as they were able to take advantage of a 10 points, 46-36, half-time lead.  Sauk Valley was able to get within two points at 75-73 and again at 79-77, however, the Lynx were able to maintain the lead with foul shots.
 
In the first half, Sauk Valley jumped out to a quick 8-3 lead and held a 15-9 lead before the Lynx ran off nine straight points to take an 18-15 lead with Brittany Ingram hitting a three pointer to put the Lynx on top.  Lincoln never trailed the rest of the way but the visitors were able to tie the game at 27.  Nicole White then hit one of two free throws and followed with a basket to put the Lady Lynx on top for good.
 
A total of 88 foul shots were attempted with Lincoln College making 33 of 50.  Sauk Valley was successful on 22 of 38 attempts.   Lincoln College finished the game by making 23 of 49 field goal attempts and Sauk Valley made 25 of  59 shots.   Turnovers also played a big part in the game as Lincoln College had 27 and Sauk Valley 21.
 
Coach Carol Wilson said, "I thought we played pretty well the first half and in the second half we let them get to the middle to often and we fouled way too much.   Ingram played a good all around game and hit some key shots for us.  It wasn't a pretty win, but a win is a win any way you get it."
 
Erica Ernst led a balanced Lincoln attack with 17 points while White added 16, Ingram 14 and Jessica Hamman 12.  Ashley Wright led the Sauk Valley attack with 18.
 
Lincoln College (83) - Nicole White 5-6-16, Eric Rodgers 1-0-2, Brittany Ingram 4-2-14, Irma Cruz 0-2-2, Becky Spears 3-2-8, Nicole Dearing 2-4-8, Erica Ernst 4-9-17, Jessica Hamman 3-6-12, Mickey Coleman 1-1-3, Kristin Rucks 0-1-1.  Totals - 23-33-83.  Three point goals - Ingram 4.
 
Sauk Valley (77) - Kelly Morrissey 1-2-5, Ashley Wright 6-6-18, Karrie McCormick 4-0-8, Kelsi Salas 3-0-9, Nicole Barger 3-0-7, Emily Saiaras 4-8-16, Karen Folkerts 0-1-1, Katie Fleetwood 2-5-9, Stephanie Bach 2-0-4.  Totals - 25-22-77.  Three point goals - Morrisey, Salas 3, Barger.

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Lincoln College was founded in 1865 as Lincoln University, the only institution of higher education named for Abraham Lincoln during his lifetime. It is a selective, two-year, private, liberal arts college located in Lincoln, Illinois. Lincoln College is designed to prepare a student for university study through a structured, supportive approach to learning. Approximately 89% of Lincoln College graduates transfer immediately to a four-year school where they succeed as well as or better than the native student. Student-teacher ratio at Lincoln College is 16:1 and the average class size is 16 students.