Auburn Earns Shot As Repeat Champions

LINCOLN – Auburn earned its chance to defend its state basketball title with a 49 to 37 win Friday over Lincoln Christian in the C1 finals.

Auburn held Lincoln Christian to 10 points in the first half and Cam Binder hit 10 free throws to top off his 22-point game.

He said the Bulldogs are hungry to repeat and said last year’s experience of buzzer-beaters is useful to keep in mind.

 

Binder: “I think it was 3-point game and I had two free throws and then Dan got that steal, but I was fully prepared maybe me missing those free throws and they go down an hit a three and tie it. Just going through scenarios in my head and just being here and knowing what I have to do. Even at the end, we’ll still have a shot to win it, that kind of calms me and calms our team.”

Auburn led 5 to 4 after the first quarter. Auburn  finished the half with Hayden Hall’s offensive rebound and score and CJ Hughes' assist to Dan Frary.

Lincoln Christian hit three straight 3-pointers to start the third quarter, but Binder responded with two of his own. Lincoln Christian brought it to within three with a steal and layup, but a Frary steal and layup helped Auburn to a 34 to 27 third quarter advantage.

 

 

Joshua Lambert overcame obscured looks at the hoop and shots blocked, but gave Auburn an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter.

 

 Binder said there has been no let down in practice intensity this year.

Binder: “Every single day you better come prepared. District title, it doesn’t matter. Especially if you played good, you’re on dangerous territory, if you played good.”

Auburn will play Ogallala for the state championship.