LINCOLN -- Bryce Means, a 2017 Lincoln graduate, signed a national letter of intent to play men's college basketball for Bacone College of Muskogee, Okla., June 1.
Means contributed to the 2016-17 senior Wolves in dual roles as playmaker and scorer, illustrated brilliantly in Lincoln's late-season comeback, 53-52, win over Prairie Grove.
Means and teammate Troy Sugg were non-factors in a first half that ended with the Wolves trailing by 15 points. The 6-feet-1, 155-pound guard asserted himself in the second half and was instrumental in getting Troy Sugg on track. The pair combined for 29 points during the Wolves' rally.
"He (Means) battles every night, he's just a tough, tough competitor," said Lincoln coach Tim Rich after the contest. "He just worked so hard to get looks. Then Troy Sugg steps up and catches fire and hits big shots for us."
Prairie Grove's lead was 36-19 with 2:29 elapsed in the third when Means and Troy Sugg caught fire. Means hit a pull-up, then set up Troy Sugg for an open 3-pointer from the left corner. Means, then utilized a lateral dribble, to get off a shot that went in followed by back-to-back treys by Troy Sugg. Suddenly, Lincoln was within 36-30.
"I just started doing whatever worked," Means said. "I tried to get open the best I could to help out. We went off three or four minutes we didn't score. We just had to come out in the second half and get some shots up."
Prairie Grove led by seven, 52-45, on Will Pridmore's shot in the lane with 59 seconds to go. Lincoln's Brance Sugg got a steal and layup to cut the Tiger advantage to 52-47. Lincoln fouled to send Prairie Grove to the free throw line for a 1-and-1 at the 43-second mark. The charity shot missed and there was an all-out battle for the rebound before Lincoln came away with the ball. Means sneaked down the sideline, getting the ball into the front-court and passed to reserve guard Sterling Morphis, who nailed a clutch 3-pointer that pulled Lincoln within two points with 31 seconds showing. Morphis then committed his fifth foul to stop the clock.
Leading 52-50, Prairie Grove had a chance to ice the game at the foul line, but again missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 21 seconds to go. The shot initially went in before bouncing out. Lincoln rebounded and Means brought the ball up and dished to Troy Sugg, who calmly sank a 3-pointer from the right corner with 9.2 seconds left to cap a furious 19-11 fourth quarter Lincoln run.
Means finished with 18 points to lead the Wolves. Troy Sugg added 14 with several field goals made off Means' assists.
The Bacone College mission statement reads: "The nurturing Christian environment of Bacone Athletics will provide an interactive opportunity for students to receive leadership training and experiences based on Biblical truths that direct athletes to the benefits of living a life of leadership through a dedicated relationship with Jesus Christ. Through God's leadership the Athletic Department will be committed to spiritual leadership, scholarship, stewardship, excellence in competition, and a commitment of service to the American Indian community."
Bacone College is a member of the NAIA and participates in the Red River Athletic Conference. Last season the Warriors went 7-21 overall. They were competitive at home with a 5-8 record, but struggled on the road with a 1-12 record. On neutral courts, the Warriors were 1-1.
Sports on 06/14/2017