2A Girls: Lincoln County squanders lead, loses in OT

Lincoln County players react after losing 44-39 in overtime to White Pine in the Class 2A girls state title game at Lawlor Events Center in Reno on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. (Damon Seiters/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Lincoln County’s Brynlee Wadsworth tries a desperation shot at the buzzer during the Class 2A girls state title game on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018 at Lawlor Events Cener in Reno. (Damon Seiters/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

White Pine’s Lily Fulmer battles for a rebound with Lincoln County’s Kylee Cameron (12) during the Class 2A girls state championship game at Lawlor Events Center in Reno on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. (Damon Seiters/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Lincoln County’s Kailey Kelley takes a shot in traffic against White Pine in the Class 2A girls state title game at Lawlor Events Center in Reno on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. (Damon Seiters/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Lincoln County’s Kendra Mathews takes a shot over White Pine’s Evan Kingston during the Class 2A girls state title game at Lawlor Events Center in Reno on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. (Damon Seiters/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Lincoln County’s Sadie Soderborg takes a jumper against White Pine during the Class 2A girls state title game at Lawlor Events Center in Reno on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. (Damon Seiters/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

RENO — Lincoln County’s girls basketball team was 10 seconds away from its first Class 2A state championship in 18 years.

But White Pine made a last gasp 3-pointer.

And the Lynx will have to try again next year.

Bobcats junior Madison Rick made a game-tying 3-pointer from the right wing to force overtime, and Lincoln County stumbled to a 44-39 loss in the extra session at Lawlor Events Center on Saturday night.

Lynx players left the court in tears, and coach Duane Wadsworth was emotional knowing just how close they were to a title.

“They made their shots at the end of the game,” he said. “We missed some shots at the end of the game that we should have had. It was a great season. We had a great team.”

Yes they did.

Lincoln County (25-4) stormed through the Class 2A Southern League with a 16-0 record, rolled through the region tournament and beat Battle Mountain on Friday to earn a berth in the title game.

The Lynx were rolling against White Pine, too, and built a 21-14 halftime lead. The Bobcats responded, though, thanks in part to some pressure defense, and tied the game after three quarters.

Lincoln County senior guard Brynlee Wadsworth scored seven of her game-high 19 points in the fourth quarter, and helped her team take a 3-point lead with her steady and heady play.

Then Rick’s 3-pointer happened, and the Bobcats dominated overtime.

“They’re a tough bunch of girls,” the coach said. “It’s sad that it ended like this, but I’m excited for next year.”

Rick scored 14 points to lead White Pine.

Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on Twitter.