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LIBERTY – The Lincoln County Lady Patriots have become accustomed to winning big this basketball season. In their 19 wins, the Lady Patriots’ average margin of victory has been 23 points.

While content with the big wins, Lincoln coach Don Story knew his team needed a challenge to prepare for the upcoming post-season.

And that’s just what Friday night’s regular-season finale delivered.

Lincoln, ranked No. 4 in the state and No. 1 in the 12th Region, tangled with Casey County, the defending region champion, in the finale – a barnburner that wasn’t decided until the final play of the game when Lincoln claimed the 38-37 win.

“I’m proud of the kids,” said Story. “We needed this game to test us and show us some things that we need to get back to working on, make it more of an importance.”

“We’re going to have to beat teams down the stretch that put a lot of pressure on you with man-to-man defense,” he said. “That’s something we’ve worked on, and we’re going to continue to work on that.”

The lead changed hands six times throughout the night, with neither team leading by more than four points.

The latest lead change came with 47 seconds to go when Jessica Upchurch, who led Lincoln with 18 points, cashed in her final two points at the foul line to put the Lady Patriots up 38-37. Upchurch had the opportunity to add to the lead with 4.5 seconds showing but she missed the first shot of the bonus.

Casey’s Nicole Coffman grabbed the rebound and threw a long pass to Jasmine Johnson, who drove toward the basket for a shot as time expired.

“I was thinking it was going to be good,” Story said about watching Johnson release her potential game-tying shot.

But Johnson’s shot never hit its target with Lady Pat Korey Coleman blocking the shot to guarantee the Lincoln win.

“That was a tough game,” Story said with a sigh of relief. “It’s always tough at Casey County. I’m proud of the kids for coming in and fighting hard.”

While many Lincoln faithful still dwell on the 32-21 loss handed to the Lady Patriots by Casey County in last year’s 12th Region Tournament finals, Story said revenge was not the focus of Friday’s rematch.

“It’s in the back of their minds. It’s in the back of my mind. But really we just wanted to focus on getting zeroed in and focused on big games like this in hostile environments,” said Story. “If we get it done (region championship), it’s not going to be easy. We’re going to have to learn and win these type games”

“And we came out tonight and we did it.”

It was a defensive standoff between the two teams, with Lincoln shooting 29 percent overall, 11-for-38, and Casey hitting 32 percent, 12-for-37.

Both teams struggled to open the game with Lincoln going 2-for-11 and Casey, 3-for-10. Upchurch nailed a trey and banked in a jumper to put Lincoln up 7-4, but Megan Pittman hit inside and Jamie Wesley followed with a jumper to edge the Lady Rebels up 8-7.

Lincoln (19-4) closed the half with its biggest lead, 18-14.

The Lady Patriots maintained the edge in the third period. Lincoln’s Upchurch and Nikki Bustle and Casey’s Johnson traded 3’s late in the period. Pittman, who led Casey (16-11) with 18 points and 12 rebounds, got in on the late action putting up two points in the paint and two more at the foul line to get the Lady Rebels within 29-28 going into the fourth quarter.

“They play to their strength (Pittman). She got 18, and we tried to limit her,” said Story. “Nicole Coffman’s a strong player too. We limited her some but we didn’t limit Pittman. She’s so strong and gets to the foul line so many times. And she’s a great offensive rebounder. She gets her body on you and her strength helps her move people.”

Lincoln had taken a 33-30 lead off a Shelby Smith steal and two free throws when the Lady Rebels rebounded in the final frame with a 6-0 run. Katy Laman and Pittman scored a bucket apiece inside and Wesley sank two free throws as Casey took a 36-33 lead with 4:09 in the game.

Lincoln was scoreless for about 4-1/2 minutes in the fourth and both teams were shut out for about two minutes after the Wesley goal. Bustle ended the shooting silence after a Casey walk, draining a 3-pointer to tie the game up with 1:58 on the clock.

Pittman hit the second shot of a two-shot foul to nudge Casey back on top before Upchurch answered with her final two points for the 38-37 final.

Casey outrebounded Lincoln 24-18. Upchurch led Lincoln on the glass with six boards and Bustle had four.

Lincoln really impressed with its ballhandling with just five turnovers to Casey’s 12.

“I was very happy with that,” said Story. “That was the best statistic, well the second best statistic of the game. 38-37 is the best, I guess.”

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