OAKDALE — Linganore had one thing in mind coming into Oakdale Friday night, and that was to steal a win away from the rival Bears. After a late fourth quarter charge fell short Tuesday night in the 61-60 loss to Tuscarora, Linganore felt as if they had momentum coming into Friday. Coach Kraft and the Lancers knew what to expect when they took the court.

“We knew coming into the game that we had to take care of the basketball and that there was going to be a lot of pressure from them,” said Kraft.

Oakdale stormed out of the gates, winning the tip off and leading early in the first quarter, but Linganore pulled ahead 11-10 courtesy of a Corbin Austin layup. Oakdale answered by hitting a pair of threes to push them ahead 16-11 late in first quarter.

After trailing 25-14 at the end of the first quarter in a foul-plagued game, Linganore’s offense struggled to get anything going.

“When we made good decisions with the basketball we showed that we’re capable of competing with Oakdale, but when we didn’t, we didn’t look good at all,” said Kraft.

The loss drops Linganore to 2-8 on the season, with a 6-game losing streak.

Linganore trailed 52-29 at halftime. They knew that they dug themselves a hole, but they were not out. Sophomore guard Jack Staub said, “Coming out at halftime, we were still in this game; there was no doubt in my mind that we could come back.”

Staub went 5 for 15 with 11 points for the Lancers, carrying the offensive load against the powerhouse Bears.

“We knew that Oakdale was going to be a good team. Their height made me a little timid driving, but that’s the one thing we have to do, is drive. If we just keep driving and getting to the rim, they would foul us. There were times where I should’ve kept driving, but, instead I would settle for those pull-up jumpers and force some things. It just wasn’t my night.”

The Lancers trailed 81-39 starting the fourth quarter but hoped to make another heroic comeback as they did Tuesday against Tuscarora.

The Bears overpowered the Lancers, led by 2-time county MVP Zach Thomas and standout point guard Clay Conner, defeating Linganore 93-54.

“Other people say that we are young and rebuilding. We’re going to get better and once we get that win we’re going to go on a roll,” said Staub.

Over the past two years, Linganore’s combined record is 6-25. Coach Kraft’s main focus is for the team to keep improving and learning by facing a physical basketball team like Oakdale.

“Our job is to come back and get better next time we step on the court and to get tougher. We are only going to grow from this. The scoreboard did not indicate how good of a team we are,” said Kraft.

The Lancers look ahead to Tuesday January 21^st as they host Winters Mill.

Thomas Lang had a team high 13 points while Josh Millford added 7 for the Lancers.