By Cort Reynolds

MIDDLE POINT - Host Lincolnview built a 13-point halftime lead and staved off a determined Ada second half charge to post a 42-35 win in Northwest Conference girls basketball action Thursday night.

The Lady Bulldogs fell to 4-15 overall and 0-7 in conference play with the tough loss. Meanwhile, the Lady Lancers improved to 10-11 and 2-5 in the NWC with the victory.

Ada trailed 25-12 at intermission, but rallied within 30-29 after the third period after a 17-5 quarter. Yet the Lancers pulled it out with a 12-6 final stanza showing.

"We played a really good second half," said Bulldog head coach Bill Taflinger.

Senior Anney Archer led the Bulldogs with a dozen points. Senior teammate Maddie Gossard tallied 11 and Raina England added seven markers.

Ada (3-4 road) plays at Waynesfield-Goshen (5-13) next Tuesday. The Lady Bulldogs knocked off W-G 45-38 on the road on Dec. 28 behind a career-high 18 points from England.

Ada then visits league co-leader Columbus Grove (10-8, 6-1 NWC) in the regular season and conference finale Thursday, Feb. 15.

A Grove win would clinch at least a tie for the league crown, depending on what Spencerville (6-1 NWC) also does in its league finale.

Bluffton and Crestview are tied for third at 5-2 in league play, with Delphos Jefferson fifth at 4-3.