After bouncing back in a big way on Tuesday to start the new year, No. 1 Lincoln took it to another level over the weekend, as the Bulldogs won three games in three days to take home the program's 4th title at the Lincoln Winter Classic.

The Bulldogs (12-2) ran through a loaded bracket, beating two 6A contenders in the process, as Lincoln has won four straight since back-to-back losses in the Tournament of Champions over Christmas break.

"What a week for our program," said Lincoln head coach Melody Stewart. "We picked up four wins, with three coming at the Lincoln Winter Classic, an event that was a huge success all around."

After a 60-19 win at home in a Pinnacle Conference game over Holland Hall on Tuesday, Lincoln rolled 75-29 in the opening round of the Winter Classic over Stillwell on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs pulled away late in Friday's 40-23 semifinal win over Jenks to advance to the program's 6th straight championship appearance.

Lincoln did the same against Owasso in the finals on Saturday night in front of a packed house, as the Bulldogs ran away 63-45 from the Rams.

Stewart talked about the atmosphere over the weekend, one in which Lincoln has won 35 consecutive games at home with the last loss coming on Jan. 7, 2023.

"The energy this weekend, especially on Saturday, was outstanding," Stewart said. "I'm incredibly grateful for our parents and fans who brought an unbelievable atmosphere to the championship game."

"Their support made a difference and was a huge contributor to our success. We're excited for what's ahead."

Lincoln senior Maddi Stewart was named Winter Classic MVP, while sophomore forward Niya Willoby made all-tournament team and junior Lauren Still was honored with the Heart of a Champion award.

The Bulldogs are aiming to go back-to-back in Class 4A after winning the program's first state title last spring.

Lincoln will be at No. 11 (3A) Cascia Hall on Tuesday to take on a Commandos team that is 13-0 and fresh off a championship at the Skiatook Invitational over the weekend.

"As we move into conference play, I'm excited for the opportunity it brings for us to compete on game nights," said Stewart. "We are seeing real growth in our team's willingness to grind things out, even when outside shots aren't always falling."

"The confidence is building, and it feels like it's only a matter of time before the lid comes off the bucket."

LINCOLN 63, OWASSO 45

In a back and forth contest in front of a raucous crowd on Saturday night at Lincoln Christian, the Bulldogs did what they did the night before and have done several times this season — slam their foot on the gas and deliver a knockout punch.

After Owasso tied the game late in the 3rd at 30-30, Lincoln responded with an 18-5 run and closed the game outscoring the Rams 33-15 to pull away in the Winter Classic Final.

"I was incredibly proud of our girls, especially in the way they handled adversity throughout the week and fought through a very physical game on Saturday to come away with the championship," said Stewart.

"That toughness and resilience is something you can't coach overnight, and it showed when it mattered most."

Lincoln did so behind Stewart, who was phenomenal in the title game to take home tournament MVP honors.

The senior had a game-high 22 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals to lead the Bulldogs, who dominated in almost every category.

Lincoln shot 41% as a team and held Owasso to just 29% from the field.

The Bulldogs also led in transition (16-11), points off turnovers (19-4), second chance points (15-7), points in the paint (38-6) and forced 21 turnovers.

Senior guard Alexis Leyva was also great for Lincoln, finishing with 12 points , eight rebounds, six assists and two steals on 6-of-10 from the floor.

Senior guard Kayli Atkinson had 10 for Lincoln, while junior forward Jayla Albert and Willoby each had six points and three rebounds.

In a tightly contested first half, Owasso led for the entire first quarter before Lincoln took its first lead early in the 2nd at 16-15.

Lincoln led 25-21 at halftime.

The Bulldogs got up six in the 3rd at 30-24 but the Rams answered to tie the game.

However, Lincoln closed the quarter on a 10-3 run before pouring in 23 points in the final quarter to pull away. 

LINCOLN 40, JENKS 23

Friday's semifinal game saw a defensive battle that played in a similar script to Lincoln's win the following night, as the Bulldogs elevated late and Jenks could not respond.

Both teams struggled to score throughout the game and Lincoln held a 20-19 lead through three quarters before a big 4th.

The Bulldogs opened the quarter on a 13-2 run, thanks to continued defensive pressure.

Lincoln forced 26 turnovers in the win and had a 19-10 advantage in points off takeaways. 

The Bulldogs also had a 22-14 edge in paint scoring although they were out rebounded by Jenks.

Wiloby was outstanding for Lincoln, as she led all scorers for the second straight night with 10 points. She was 3-of-6 from the field and added three rebounds.

Stewart had nine points and seven boards, while Leyva had seven points, seven rebounds and three steals.

Atkinson added seven points and five steals.

The Bulldogs shot 28% from the floor as a team but held Jenks to a 23% clip.

Lincoln was clutch at the line, going 12-of-15 (80%) as a team in the win.

Both teams had a tough time getting going offensively early, as the game was tied at 6-6 after a quarter.

After a Jenks bucket to tie the game at 10-10 late in the 2nd, Lincoln closed the half on a 5-0 run to lead at the break.

The Bulldogs led by as many as seven in the 3rd at 20-13 before Jenks closed the quarter by scoring the final six points.

LINCOLN 75, STILWELL 29

The Bulldogs had no trouble in the opening round of the Winter Classic on Thursday night, as Lincoln started fast and cruised in a big win over Stillwell.

Lincoln opened the game on a 24-0 run before Stillwell got on the board late in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs were dominant in the second quarter, as well, leading 45-10 at halftime.

Wilboy had 15 to lead all scorers, as she was 7-of-8 from the floor and added five rebounds.

Stewart had 12 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals in the win. Sophomore guard Azariah Woodruff had 10 points on 5-of-8 from the floor.

Leyva did it all, once again, finishing with nine points on, five rebounds, six assists and four steals on 4-of-7 shooting.

Junior guard Ivy Wheeler had eight points and five steals, while Atkinson added seven points and three steals.

Lincoln shot 40% from the floor as a team and held Stillwell to just 28% shooting.

The Bulldogs shot it as well as they had in some time, making 10 threes in the win.

Lincoln dominated in all categories, including transition (27-4), points off turnovers (36-7), second chance points (20-7), points in the paint (38-16) and offensive rebounds (24-10).

The Bulldogs had 20 assists on 31 makes and had 48 deflections in the win, while forcing 30 turnovers.

Photos by Lee Talley