Senior guard Tyler Smith pumped in a game-high 29 pointsThursday night to power the host West Lincoln Bears to a 52-46 winover the Salem Wildcats at Jack Case Gymnasium. Smith also grabbedthree rebounds, made two steals and had four assists.

In girls action, junior forward Candy Herring fired in 11 pointsto direct the Lady Bears to a 71-23 win over the Lady Wildcats.Herring also pulled down five rebounds.

West Lincoln 52, Salem 46

The Bears (2-4) jumped on the Wildcats for a 12-7 lead in thefirst quarter. At halftime, West Lincoln led 25-19. Going into thefinal frame, the Bears held a slim 35-31 edge over Wildcats.

“We got to do a better job rebounding the ball on both sides,”said West Lincoln coach Lane Young. “I’m glad we made our freethrows at the end.” West Lincoln was 7 for 8 at the charity line inthe final 2 minutes of the game.

Contributing to the West Lincoln win with 13 points and twosteals was Shane Lynch. Jeremy Byrd led off the backboards withnine rebounds.

James Ratliff led the Wildcats (3-3) with 13 points. Followingwith 12 points was Chucky Ellzey.

“The turning point was when West Lincoln went on a 13-0 runafter we went up 7-2 in the first quarter. We are still trying toget football out of our system.”

West Lincoln 71, Salem 23

The West Lincoln girls (3-3) exploded for a 22-5 run in thefirst quarter and continued a 21-9 sweep in the second quarter fora 43-14 lead over Salem at halftime.

“It was good to play everyone and let them play a lot ofminutes,” stated Young.

Adding support to the Lady Bears’ win with nine points each wereErica Shaw and Alicia Kennedy. Tops off the backboards with 12rebounds was Talashia Fells followed by Kennedy with 10 reboundsand five steals.

Salem (0-5) got seven points from Keiisha Peters.

“We don’t have the size and good shooters,” said Murphy. “We arerebuilding. West Lincoln has a good team. We are going to get alittle better but it will take time.”

Junior varsity

The West Lincoln boys handed Salem a 42-29 defeat. BlakeEmfinger led the Bears with nine points followed by Jonathan Kelleyand Jamey Byrd with eight points apiece.

Shannon Ratcliff led the Wildcats with nine points.