Brookings proved why they are one of the best teams in Class "AA" Thursday night at home as the second-ranked Bobcats drubbed Sioux Falls Lincoln 55-47 in boys non-conference action.

Lincoln, 10-9 with the loss struggled with the Bobcats' zone defense all night as it swarmed around Lincoln shooters inside and out. The Pats also struggled with Brookings junior point guard Tyler Nagy who scored 23 points, including four 3-pointers.

Lincoln's Nermin Krdzalic and Adam Jaros combined for just 5 points as Brookings defenders did a great job jumping out on them and putting a body on them as they drove to the rim. Krdzalic though contributed eight rebounds and Jaros had five steals.

Krdzalic didn't score until the last minute of the game.

"Fortunately for us they didn't knock down some perimeter shots in the first half," said Brookings coach Travis Engebretson. "If you were to tell me before the game we would hold Krdzalic to three points I'd have a big smile on my face."

Lincoln coach Jeff Halseth was not pleased as he cited a lack of energy, focus and execution. He also noted the missed opportunities, AGAIN.

It wasn't as if the Pats were completely out of the game, Brookings led 36-30 after three quarters. Then Lincoln scores a 7-1 run to tie the score at 37 early in the final frame.

Nagy was feeling it for the Cats and carried them through an 18-10 finish to claim victory.

Caleb Rector led the Patriots with 14 points, Calvin Krause ten points as Lincoln dropped all six non-conference road games this season.

Lincoln (10-9) is 3-8 in the last 11 games and closes out the season next Friday at Roosevelt.

Brookings (14-4) is at Watertown on Saturday and plays at Roosevelt next Tuesday.

LINCOLN (10-9)

Nermin Krdzalic 1 0-0 3, Caleb Rector 4 4-6 14, Calvin Krause 5 0-0 10, Adam Jaros 0 2-2 2, Addison Park 4 0-0 9, Connor Burchill 1 0-0 2, Luke Meyers 0 0-0 0, Vince Walker 1 0-0 3, Malik Dunn 1 2-3 4. Totals 17 8-11 47.

BROOKINGS (14-4)

Zach Kress 0 0-0 0, Braxton Carlson 4 1-2 11, Kaleb Vig 4 0-0 8, Tyler Nagy8 3-4 23, Zach Page 1 5-8 7, Mikey Daniel 1 0-0 2, Trevor Hornig 0 0-0 0, Konner Beste 1 2-3 4, Seth Moret 0 0-0 0, Austin May 0 0-0 0, Bryce McMacken 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 11-17 55.

Lincoln 12 19 30 47

Brookings 17 24 36 55

3-pointers - L 5 (Rector 2), B 6 (Nagy 4). Rebounds – L 37 (Krdzalic 8), B 30 (Carlson 7). Total fouls – L 13, B 10. Fouled out – None. Assists – L 12 (Krdzalic 4), B 9 (Vig 4). Turnovers – L 19, B 10. Blocked shots – L (Rector), B 4 (Carlson 2). Steals – L 7 (Jaros 5), B 12 (Kress 4).

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