By Moses Leos III.
Missed scoring chances doomed Lehman High in a 53-51 loss to the Lanier Vikings on Tuesday.
Lanier jumped out to an 11-2 lead, aided by the three point shooting of guard Khalil Lewis. Lewis finished with a game high 22 points
The Lobos struggled from the field to start, scoring four points after a quarter.
The Vikings took a 22-7 lead in the second before Lehman rallied. The Lobos went on a 9-3 run to close the half, trailing 25-18.
Lehman post Robert Salinas spurred the swing, which included a momentum shifting three that pulled Lehman to 25-14. Salinas finished with 11 points.
Lanier regained momentum by dictating tempo in the third – a theme for most of the game.
Lehman head coach Thomas Acker said Lanier “forced the issue” and threw the Lobos out of their element.
“Their pressure affected us a bit,” Acker said. “Their guards’ one on one pressure negated our inside game. We have to get used to that.”
Lehman’s shooting woes continued in the third. Misses at the free throw line intensified, with Lehman finishing 12-25 from the stripe.
“We missed a lot of [free throws]. That’s what killed us,” Salinas said. “That’s a fixable problem.”
Despite being down 12 at one point, Lehman fought to within 36-32 after three.
Aiding the Lobo comeback was stout defense, which forced turnovers. Lehman also found a rhythm, pulling within two at 39-37 late in the fourth. Helping was post Kraig Shields, who led Lehman with 13 points.
But consistent free throw shooting kept Lanier ahead for good. The Vikings went 14-17 from the free throw line, including several big shots down the stretch.
Acker was proud of the effort, but understood the Lobos’ struggles. He expects the team to “refine things,” before they begin tournament play.
Hays will play at Liberty Hill next Tuesday.
