The two teams battled every step of the way, and were tied 15-15 at the quarter, Gardiner led 36-35 at the half and the two teams were tied 50-50 heading into the final period. Gardiner won out in the fourth, taking the lead for good on an Eric Goodwin 3-pointer, and went on to win 61-58.
Ben McLain hit a half court shot at the halftime buzzer to pull the Eagles within three. Michael Denham scored 10 of his game high 30 points in the third to give Gardiner a six- point lead.
Lincoln rallied, scoring eight straight to take the lead. McLain, Patrick Mullin, and Everett Martin scored to tie the game. Gage Peaslee converted off the offensive glass to give the Eagles the lead. Denham tied the score 50-50 at the end of three.
In the 4th quarter, Lincoln failed to capitalize on a couple of steals, and missed three tying shot opportunities in the final minute-and-a-half of play.
Scoring for Lincoln were Mullinn 15, Mclain 12, Peaslee 12, Martin 9, Matt Poole 6, Troy Carter 4, and Brandon Reilly 2.
Scoring for Gardiner were Denham 30, Jordan Grant 13, Goodwin 7, Dan Paradee 6, Andrew Bobrowski 4, and Chris Kimball 1.
