PHOTO: Dallas Lincoln forward Jada Patterson goes up against a La Vega defender during the 4A semifinals in San Antonio (Credit: Whitney Magness/UIL)
SAN ANTONIO – Dallas Lincoln led by nine with 7:14 left in the fourth quarter, but the Tigers couldn’t hold on as they lost to defending champ Waco La Vega 65-60 in double overtime during the Class 4A state semifinals on Friday at the Alamodome.
Lincoln ends the year 30-4.
It was the Tigers’ 16th state appearance and first since going back-to-back in 2020. Meanwhile, #2 La Vega will attempt to win back to back titles when the Pirates play in the 7 pm final on Saturday against Boerne or Canyon.
The Tigers had the fourth most state appearances among this year’s state tournament teams, trailing Canyon (29), Duncanville (27) and Martin’s Mill (18). The 23 combined appearances were the third most among all state semifinal matchups.
Lincoln moves into seventh place in all time appearances.
The Tigers came into the year in a four-way tie at 15.
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Trailing 33-32 at the intermission, Lincoln gave La Vega trouble in the third quarter. The Pirates missed all eight attempts from the field including three from downtown.
While both teams struggled offensively, the Tigers came away with a 9-1 advantage and led 41-34 entering the final stanza. Sy’niyah Gulley tossed in a layup to give Lincoln its largest lead at 43-34 less than a minute into regulation.
Lincoln still led 45-39 with 4:20 left on a short jumper by Ar’jayla Elder, but La Vega scored six quick points in 17 seconds. Kiyleyah Parr, who was state champ MVP last season for the Pirates, hit 1 of 2 from the line. Lincoln got the miss, but committed one of its 24 turnovers. Parr recorded the steal and hit a layup to pull LV within 45-42.
Lincoln would be called with an offensive foul and Mar’cyah Willis drained the game tying three-pointer (45-45) with 4:03 left in the period. Another three from LV’s Alaysia Gude came in between two Lincoln buckets from Grace Spencer and Kayla Crowder.
Less than 30 seconds later and the Parr scored on a driving layup to give the team a 50-49 edge at the 2:44 mark. Parr hit a free throw for a 54-51 lead with 20 seconds on the clock before T’Anna Saddler hit a three from the corner for Lincoln with 12 seconds. On the ensuing possession, Lincoln poked the ball away from La Vega, but a layup attempt was short and the game went into the first overtime.
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Willis’ layup gave LV a 56-54 lead with 3:33 left in OT #1.
Spencer tied it for Lincoln with 1:06 on the clock.
Parr missed a last second jumper for La Vega and the game went into the second overtime tied up at 56-56. LV scored the first five points of the frame and led 61-56 at the 1:25 mark. Saddler scored all four points in double OT for Lincoln with a free throw and a three that came in the final seconds.
Spencer led the Tigers with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks. Saddler added 12 points and hit all three of her three-point attempts. Jada Patterson chipped in 11 and Kayla Crowder ended with 9. Lincoln shot 20 of 44 from the field (45.5%) and 16 of 20 from the stripe (80%).
Four players scored in double figures for LV – Willis (16), Parr (15), Gude (13) and Angela Carroll (13), who also had a team-high 11 rebounds and 5 blocks. La Vega finished the game with worse shooting totals with 33% from the field and 66% from the line.
There were 16 ties and 18 lead changes – most of which in the first half (12/14).
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