Ossy Escareno is one hot Wolf.

Escareno scored a career-high 33 points to lead unbeaten Lincoln to a 77-61 homecoming victory over Gravette on Friday night. Escareno made five of the nine 3-pointers for Lincoln (14-0, 6-0 4A-1 Conference), which outscored Gravette 44-25 in the second half.

Escareno's play was an extension from Tuesday when he scored 18 points to lead Lincoln to 60-53 victory over Berryville. He made 3-pointers to end two of the four quarters in that game.

He did it again against Gravette, including a long three when Terence Pierce flashed across in an attempt to block the shot. Pierce got nothing and Lincoln headed to the bench with a 56-43 lead after three quarters.

Escareno, Payton Hulse and Shandon Goldman each made 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to increase Lincoln's lead to 71-52.

"Ossy is such a big part of this team," said Lincoln coach Tim Rich. "He can score no points and be a factor, but he added his points tonight to go along with the other things he does well."

The homecoming game had the feel of a regional tournament, which Lincoln will host in Class 4A. Lincoln thrilled its fans with a second-half shooting clinic to overcome a slow start, when the Wolves missed some shots inside.

Lincoln pressed Gravette (10-5, 3-2) into a turnover to start the fourth quarter and Escareno converted a three-point play to put the Wolves ahead 59-42. Hulse followed with a 3-pointer and Escareno scored inside again to prompt a timeout by Gravette.

"(Lincoln) played great, but we were pathetic on the defensive glass," Gravette coach Dustin Peters said. "It was ridiculous, then you compound it by giving them easy shots and getting into foul trouble."

Pierce finished with 33 points despite failing to hit the rim on three 3-point attempts. Otto Troutner added 19 points, but no one else from Gravette added more than six.

"Pierce tried to do everything but, with two guys guarding him, you just can't," Peters said.

Pierce started to warm up in the second quarter after he made a 3-pointer and rushed past a defender for a layup. He then made three consecutive free throws after being fouled to tie the game, 29-29. But Lincoln again finished the quarter strong with baskets by Barnum and Justin Brewer to lead 33-29 at the half.

GIRLS

GRAVETTE 58, LINCOLN 48

Gravette outlasted Lincoln in a foul-plagued game to earn a conference road win.

The teams combined to shoot 79 free throws and six players fouled out. Gravette (3-10, 1-4) converted 28 of 38 free throws while Lincoln (6-11, 2-4) made 22 of 41.

Samantha Pruitt of Gravette led all scorers after making 18 of 21 attempts from the line.