LINCOLN, Neb. — The Lincoln Christian girls basketball team shut down Bridgeport’s offense in the second half on the way to a 51-32 win in the Class C-1 semifinals.

The victory for the Crusaders avenges a quarterfinals loss to the Bulldogs last year. Lincoln Christian will play in the state championship game on Saturday for the first time since 2020.

Bridgeport’s 32 points were the team’s lowest scoring output since scoring 32 on February 28, 2020. The Bulldogs hadn’t scored less than 32 since February 2, 2019.

Bridgeport scored the first basket of the game but Lincoln Christian responded with a three-pointer and never trailed again. The Crusaders led by four points at halftime but grew their lead to 13 over the course of the third quarter. Lincoln Christian held the Bulldogs to just 10 points in the second half. 

Lincoln Christian… 14, 12, 13, 12 = 51

Bridgeport… 10, 12, 4, 6 = 32

Lincoln Christian: Kassebaum 28, Ailes 7, J. Hueser 5, Pittenger 5, A. Hueser 4, Van Ostrand 2

Bridgeport: Loomis-Gotl 17, Dean 12, From 3