A three-pointer by Max Niebrugge to open the final quarter got the Shoes within 33-24. But Lincoln responded with an 8-2 run that expanded the margin to 15 points, 41-26, at the 2:49 mark. The Shoes were unable to get closer than 12 points the rest of the way.

The first half was very close and very low-scoring. The Shoes only took 13 shots, but trailed by just four, 15-11.

“We were fortunate to only be down by four points at halftime,” Reeder said. “Our defense kept us in the game. But nothing we did on offense was anything like we prepped for.

“In that first half, we just passed the ball around until somebody decided it was their turn to shoot the ball,” the THS coach added. “In practice, we emphasized getting the ball into the paint, either by passing or driving. We didn’t do either. We just stood around and passed the ball to the next guy. We didn’t get the ball in the paint or attack at all. I can’t explain why. Maybe it was a lack of focus.”

 And when the Shoes did take shots, they weren’t falling, connecting on only 39 percent of their attempts. And it was even worse from behind the arc, making just 4-of-13.

“We’re a rhythm shooting team,” Reeder explained. “When we take bad shots, it gets us out of our rhythm. We have to take good shots all game long, but we just didn’t do that tonight. We just need to keep working on it and hope it clicks.”

THS also turned the ball over 16 times, which led to some easy baskets.

“It was similar to the first game with Lincoln (a 43-37 setback),” Reeder said. “We had 15 turnovers and they scored 20 points off of those. I’m sure it was about the same tonight. Those are just free points and you can’t do that, especially against the better teams.”

Lincoln, which improved to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in the Apollo Conference, got 20 points from its standout point guard Dylan Singleton and 12 from both Hullinger and Brody Whiteman. The Railsplitters hit 16-of-36 shots overall from the floor and were 14-of-14 from the free throw line.

“Singleton is so strong,” Reeder said. “He’s quick, uses his body well and really controls his team. He’s a really, really good point guard; one of the best I’ve seen.”

Jordan Hardiek led the Shoes with 11 points, while Evan Wermert and Caleb Siemer both scored six. The Shoes were 13-for-33 overall from the floor and 4-for-7 at the line.

Teutopolis dropped to 6-3 overall and 2-3 in league play. The Shoes will play three Apollo Conference games Friday at home against Mattoon; and Saturday at Taylorville.