SHINNSTON, W.Va. — Brynne Williams led four double figure scorers for Lincoln with 28 points as the Cougars displayed their offensive versatility Thursday in a commanding 89-50 win over Philip Barbour.
It was the fourth straight win Lincoln, which assisted 21 of its 29 field goals and made 24-of-29 free throws to go with seven 3-pointers.
“Our versatility is one thing we have to use,” Lincoln head coach Rob Hawkins said. “All five of them can shoot it and all five can pass it. We allow all five to handle it on the break. This group has started 30-something games now together.”
Williams had the hot hand throughout, but particularly in the first half. She scored 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting over the first two quarters. After scoring 10 first-quarter points to help stake Lincoln (7-2) to a 24-12 lead, Williams made three triples over the first few minutes of the second quarter, the last of which increased the advantage to 35-12.
The Colts (6-6) trailed 42-20 in the late stages of the opening half before scoring six straight points to enter the break facing a 16-point deficit.
But Lincoln started the third quarter much like it did the second, using a 10-2 run to gain a 52-28 lead and essentially put the game out of reach. Williams and Madi Martin each scored four points during the key surge, while Allison Rockwell chipped in with two free throws.
“We talked at halftime about how they went on a run and we needed to come out and take control of the game,” Hawkins said.
After the Colts got to within 54-34, Lincoln answered with an 8-0 run that featured four more points from Martin along with two each from Rockwell and Victoria Sturm.
While Williams made 10-of-14 shots and five 3s to account for her career-high point total, she was far from alone in doing damage. Martin and Sturm scored 17 apiece, while Rockwell had a strong all-around performance with 13 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
“Allison is playing the best basketball of her career,” Hawkins said.
In addition to forcing 32 turnovers that helped lead to 19 more field goal attempts, Lincoln outrebounded Philip Barbour, 49-34. Six different Cougars grabbed at least four boards.
“Turnovers usually hurt us. We’re scoring over 50 a game, which last year, we struggled to get 50,” Colts’ head coach Rick Mouser said. “Overall we’re improved, but we have to take better care of the ball.”
Alyssa Hill led the Colts with 14 points and seven rebounds.