The Lyons and Southeast of Saline boys again battled in another close game that was not settled until the final seconds, with Southeast of Saline pulling out a 70-65 win.
SES jumped out to an early lead as the Trojans punched Lyons by scoring from beyond the arc to grab the lead, 26-14, after the first period. Lyons cut into the lead but still trailed at halftime, 39-31, as SES made six triples while holding Lyons to only two made shots from outside the 3-point line.
Southeast of Saline opened the lead back up in the third quarter, leading by as many as 15 points before the period ended at 51-43. Lyons fought back in the final stanza and got to within three points, but the Trojans held on as they made 7 of 10 free throws late.
Southeast of Saline had balanced scoring as the Trojans had four players in double figures, led by Hendrix Lund with 17 points. Tiernan Ptacek also had 17 points. Gannon Jacobson, who is back in action after a football injury to his lower leg, added 15 points and Adam Thiel had 12.
Tegan Link led Lyons with a game-high 23 points. Right behind in the scoring column was Paco Espinoza with 22 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Southeast of Saline improves its record to 7-14 and 5-7 in the NCAA standings, while Lyons falls to 8-13 and 3-9 in league play.
Southeast of Saline girls 63, Lyons 24
It was Senior Night at Lyons High School, and the coaches of both teams worked out a special opening sequence to honor and allow injured senior Sierra Belote to start the game, although she had recently undergone successful knee surgery and was on crutches.
The plan was for Southeast of Saline to win the tip and have their senior Abigail Pearson score and then stand in place to allow Lyons advance the ball up the court after the throw to Sierra Belote who was stationed right under the Lyons goal. After Sierra made the basket, the game was stopped to allow her to celebrate with her teammates and to be substituted out, after which the game continued.
The Lyons hustling defense kept them close in the early going, but the Trojans were just much quicker and had more offensive punch for the Lyons Lady Lions. Southeast of Saline led 46-11 at halftime and closed the game with a running clock.
Southeast of Saline had four girls in double figures as the Trojans were led by Taryn Goetz with a game-high 14 points, as she had 12 of her 14 points from beyond the 3-point line. Also in double digits were Regan Duran with 12 points, Abigail Pearson with 10, and Kyiah Samuelson with 10 points and a game high six rebounds.
Leading the way for Lyons was senior Dayanna Gonzalez with 7 points.
Southeast of Saline advances their season record to 16-5 and 8-4 in league play. Lyons is now 2-19 for the season and 0-12 in NCAA action.
