As the calendar has turned to February, No. 1 Lincoln Christian has continued to roll, winning 12 straight games heading into the final week of the regular season.

Lincoln (20-2) has won all 12 games by 17 points or more and has an average margin of victory of 35 during the streak, which started with a 60-19 win over Holland Hall on Jan. 6.

Last week, Lincoln went on the road and dominated No. 3 (3A) Sequoyah Tahlequah, winning 75-39.

Head coach Melody Stewart was pleased with her team's effort against a quality opponent, doing so in one of the final tests before the postseason.

"The Sequoyah matchup was exactly what we needed," Stewart said. "It stretched us, exposed areas to sharpen and demanded composure. Most importantly, it reminded our girls that growth doesn't happen in comfort. Games like that prepare you for March."

Lincoln also picked up big wins over Regent Prep 82-26, Holland Hall 70-36, No. 17 (3A) Rejoice Christian 71-37 and last Friday, beating No. 11 (3A) Cascia Hall 74-33.

The Bulldogs have another big game tonight, when Lincoln hosts No. 2 Locust Grove for senior night.

Lincoln will travel to Victory Christian to close out the regular season before playing in the district championship on Saturday vs. Wagoner at Cascia Hall.

Stewart spoke about her three seniors — Maddi Stewart, Alexis Leyva and Kayli Atkinson — highlighting the impact they have had on the program over the last four years. 

"I am so proud and deeply grateful to have been a small part of these seniors' journey," Stewart said. "They embody everything this program stands for. They are tough, gritty and competitive. They are loving, kind and servant-hearted. They are the epitome of what it means to wear our jersey."

Stewart, the all-time leading scorer in the program, leads the team at 14.9 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Leyva averages 9.4 points and per contest and 5.1 rebounds per game, as well as leads the team with 5.3 assists and 3.5 steals per game.

Atkinson averages 6.7 points per game and 2.4 steals per game, while leading the Bulldogs with 32 made threes on the year.

"They have taken hard coaching and never flinched," Stewart said. "They've accepted challenges and risen to meet them. They've grown individually in remarkable ways, but collectively they have cemented themselves as the most successful class in program history."

"Their success did not happen by accident. For years, they have invested in their craft. They chose discipline, development and commitment. And because of that, they stand where they are today."

Stewart spoke about not only their success on the floor, but the leaders they are off the floor for the program and for the school.

"What I love most is they are friends to everyone," she said. "They are Christlike in how they treat teammates, opponents, teachers, and coaches. They lead without demanding attention. They serve without needing applause. Their legacy will not just be wins and banners...it will be the standard they've set."

LINCOLN 74, CASCIA HALL 33

The Bulldogs blew the game open late in the 1st quarter and never looked back last Friday night, as Lincoln rolled over Cascia Hall for the second time this season.

Lincoln led 14-9 late in the 1st quarter, but then went on a 32-9 run to close the first half.

The Bulldogs were not done yet, however, as Lincoln started the 2nd half on an 11-0 run to lead 57-16 late in the 3rd quarter.

The Bulldogs held Cascia Hall to just 22% from the floor as a team and forced 22 turnovers.

Lincoln shot 41% from the floor as a team and led in most categories, including transition (14-2), points off turnovers (16-2), second chance points (14-8), points in the paint (44-8) and offensive rebounds (21-5).

Lincoln led 52-26 on the glass and had 17 steals in the win.

Junior Jayla Albert led the Bulldogs in scoring, finishing with 17 points and seven boards on 8-of-11 from the floor.

Freshman Laine Dooley had 14 points and three steals for the Bulldogs in just 17 minutes. 

Stewart had 13 points and nine boards for Lincoln, while Niya Willoby finished with 10.

Leyva did not score, but had eight rebounds, nine assists and four steals.

LINCOLN 75, SEQUOYAH TAHLEQUAH 39

A huge second half was the difference on the road last Tuesday at Sequoyah Tahlequah, as Lincoln turned it on after half time to run away from the Indians.

After leading 39-25 at half, Lincoln opened the 3rd quarter on a 13-2 run to push the lead out to 25 points.

The Bulldogs led 59-33 heading to the 4th and outscored the Indians by double-digits in the final quarter.

Lincoln shot a blistering 51% from the floor in the win, while holding Sequoyah to just 33% as a team.

The Bulldogs also shot 11-of-23 (48%) from three in the win.

Stewart had a game-high 20 for Lincoln, to go along with six rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Leyva had 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals on 5-of-8 shooting.

Willoby had eight points and for rebounds, while Dooley, Atkinson, Albert and freshman Hayliegh Michalec each finished with six for the Bulldogs.

Lincoln had an edge in points off turnovers (24-9) and points in the paint (34-20), while the Bulldogs forced 21 turnovers in the win.

The Bulldogs led just 18-14 after a quarter but opened the 2nd quarter on a 13-4 run.

LINCOLN 71, REJOICE 37

A dominating performance from start to finish helped Lincoln roll last Monday night at home over Rejoice.

Lincoln led 20-10 after a quarter but went on a 23-4 run to close the first half behind suffocating defense.

Lincoln held Rejoice to just 27% from the floor as a team and forced 26 turnovers in the win.

The Bulldogs shot 48% from the floor as as team and led in most categories, including transition (13-2), points off turnovers (23-17), second chance points (20-14) and points in the paint (46-16).

Albert led the way again, pouring in a game-high 20 points, five rebounds and three steals on 9-of-11 from the field.

Willoby had 14 points and seven rebounds on 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, while Stewart had 13 for Lincoln.

Leyva had seven assists and three steals in the win. Michalec had eight points for the Bulldogs in the win.

LINCOLN 70, HOLLAND HALL 36

A huge 3rd quarter blew the game open recently against Holland Hall, as Lincoln ran away from the Dutch on the road.

After a close game in the first half that saw the Bulldogs ahead just 25-20, Lincoln scored the first 17 points of the quarter before Holland Hall hit a three to break the run.

However, Lincoln scored the next 10 points to take a commanding 52-23 lead into the 4th.

Stewart was outstanding in the win, finishing with a game-high 19 points, while Albert delivered again with 15 points and four rebounds on 7-of-10 shooting.

Both teams shot 47% from the floor, but Lincoln made eight threes and Holland Hall managed just 1-of-9 from downtown as a team.

Lincoln dominated in transition scoring (19-4), points off turnovers (33-7) and points in the paint (36-22).

The Bulldogs forced 28 turnovers in the win, while committing just seven on offense.

Leyva had just five points but finished with eight assists and five steals.

Willoby had six points, six rebounds and three assists in the win.

LINCOLN 82, REGENT PREP 26

The Bulldogs were in complete control recently against Regent Prep, as the Bulldogs overwhelmed the Rams from start to finish.

Lincoln led 24-4 after a quarter and 47-11 at halftime.

The Bulldogs shot 49% as a team and held Regent to just 27% from the floor.

Lincoln forced 29 turnovers in the win and turned those takeaways into a 39-6 advantage in points off of.

Lincoln also dominated in second chance points (22-7), points in the paint (50-10), offensive rebounds (20-7) and transition (22-0).

The Bulldogs also had 24 assists on 32 made field goals

Dooley led the way for Lincon with 14 points on 6-of-10 from the floor. She also had 11 deflections, four assists, four rebounds and five steals,

Stewart had 13 for Lincoln on 5-of-9 shooting, along with five boards.

Azariah Woodruff had 11 points and seven rebounds for Lincoln, finishing 5-of-9 from the field, as well.

Leah Moore had 10 for Lincoln, while Willoby had eight, Atkinson had seven and Albert finished with six.



Photos by Lee Talley