Senior guard Avery Nicastro-Aikman drives into the paint during the Cardinals 55-42 loss to the Lincoln Mustangs on Jan. 24. Photos by Daniel Green
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The boys’ varsity basketball team’s rough stretch through the Lang Division continued on Tuesday night with a 55-42 loss to division co-leader Lincoln.

The loss, which dropped the Cardinals to second place in the Neff division, was all too familiar for the team, which has lost three straight games by 10 points or more against Lang Division opponents.

Lincoln came out strong early, and managed Lowell for the majority of the game, leading by 10 points at both the halftime and third quarter break. The Mustangs were led in scoring by senior guards Ares Brown and Chris Young, who combined for 22 points.

The momentum appeared to switch to the Cardinals' favor when the team was able to cut the Mustangs' lead to eight with three minutes left to play, but two quick buckets for five points by Lincoln junior guard Mitchell Lee put the game out of Lowell’s reach again, and Lincoln calmly saw out the remaining time.

“It was a team effort today. We tried to press hard because Lowell runs their man offense very well,” Lincoln coach Matt Jackson said, “On offense we attacked the wings and were big down low, and just tried not to let them slow us down too much."

For a team that prides itself on defense, the defeat was especially frustrating, as the Cards shot 45 percent from the floor, but were unable to hold the Mustangs to less than 11 points per quarter. Senior forward Avery Nicastro-Aikman had the most points, 16, of any player in the game, and no other Cardinal scored in double figures.

Despite the tough run, junior guard Jonathan Li believes the losses were the result of opponents capitalizing on Lowell mistakes, not because of any disparity in talent. “The games were close, but we couldn’t finish our layups and made poor decisions on the floor which eventually cost us the game,” he said.

Regardless of the losses, the team remains confident going into Friday’s Battle of the Birds matchup with Washington, according to Li. “Everyone, but especially the seniors is excited and ready to play and reclaim a win for the Cardinals,” Li said.

The Eagles won the game last year, going on to be crowned Academic Athletic Association champions. After graduating all of the title-winning starters, Washington looks to be a different team this season, and currently sits at fourth place in its division.

Come support the team at 8 p.m. on Friday at Kezar Stadium as they prepare to snatch the Battle of the Birds bragging rights from the claws of the Washington Eagles.