photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Lucy Juelsgaard drives to the rim in a 75-72 loss to Topeka High in the Capital City Classic on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Topeka.

TOPEKA — Lawrence girls basketball lost 75-72 to Topeka High in the second round of the Capital City Classic at Topeka High School on Friday.

This was the second time these two teams have faced each other in January. Last time, the Trojans won by nearly 20 points in Lawrence as the Lions struggled offensively, mustering up only 47 points.

Yet, in less than a month, the Lions looked like a completely different team on offense Friday. They were thinner after injuries the second time around but were still able to spread the ball around and get more players involved. While the Lions still ultimately fell short in the loss, the improvement stems from the growth the Lions have had after playing a challenging schedule.

“We’ve gotten better,” Lawrence coach Jeff Dickson said. “We play a tough schedule for a reason… I’ve got nothing but pride for our girls. The girls played for each other tonight — they shared the ball well. They rallied around each other.”

The Lions were thin in Friday’s game, as senior Jada Baars-Turner was unable to play due to an injury from Thursday’s game. Sophomores Zoey Barber and Lucy Juelsgaard handled the ball more and were the two tasked with running the offense most often.

Lawrence sophomore Macyn Ramsay started it off with a 3-pointer, one of five made shots from beyond the arc for Ramsay in the game. The Trojans responded with a 3-pointer of their own, but junior Cami Nauholz kept the Lions in the lead with a field goal in the paint and two free throws.

The Trojans took their first lead of the game midway through the opening quarter, but the Lions kept pace with Nauholz and Ramsay. While those two were the only point-scorers of the quarter for the Lions, Barber racked up several assists while running the point.

Ramsay hit a late 3-pointer to tie the game at 20 points, but the Trojans hit one final shot to take a 22-20 lead into the second quarter. Barber tied it up while driving to the rim for the first points of the second quarter, followed by Ramsay’s fifth field goal of the game, which Barber assisted her on. Topeka found its footing with back-to-back scores, but Nauholz passed to freshman Marley Doleman twice for buckets, tying the game at 28-28.

Lawrence’s youth showed itself in the second quarter, as ball handling and poor passing led to several turnovers that let Topeka make a small run. The Lions clawed back as Ramsay and Doleman hit back-to-back 3s to bring the game right back. The Trojans finished the half leading 40-35, with Nauholz scoring the final point on a free throw.

Doleman got the Lions going early in the second half, starting it off with her second 3-pointer of the game. The Trojans scored twice, including on a fast-break opportunity following a turnover, but Nauholz hit a jumpshot in the paint on an assist from Barber and Doleman hit another 3, also on an assist from Barber. Doleman hit her fourth 3-pointer to tie the game at 46.

“From day 1, we knew she was going to be someone in the starting lineup for four years,” Dickson said of Doleman. “She’s very unfazed… I’ve never seen her look like she doesn’t have confidence. She was very aggressive — her teammates told her to keep shooting the ball. It’s gratifying to see such a good kid reap the benefits of knocking down those shots.”

Both teams went back-and-forth trading shots and the lead back and forth. Nauholz was particularly effective in this stretch for the Lions, scoring 11 points in the third quarter.

Topeka pulled ahead with an 18-7 run that put the Trojans up 73-63 with 4:03 left in the game. Despite the deficit, the Lions fought hard and tightened up on defense, holding the Trojans without a field goal in the final four minutes.

Ramsay started it off with a block on defense, while Nauholz scored nine-straight points, including two from the free-throw line with a minute left and a 3-pointer with 18.4 seconds left, which cut the Trojans’ lead to a point.

“We had a chance there at the end,” Dickson said. “They didn’t panic. I’m a very proud head coach right now. They were determined. Yesterday, our energy flagged late… they just rallied around each other (today). That was a collective leadership from the girls today.”

The Lions tried to force a turnover but were forced to foul with 2.0 seconds on the clock. Following two made free throws from Topeka’s Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, the Lions’ inbound pass was intercepted, giving the Trojans the win 75-72.

Lawrence will play in the seventh-place game of the Capital City Classic on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Topeka High School.

“For us, it’s not about the wins and losses, it’s about playing better tomorrow than we did today,” Dickson said. “Our kids are capable of that and that’s what they’re determined to do. I think tomorrow we’re going to come out and play our best game all year.”

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence freshman Marley Doleman maneuvers around a defender in a 75-72 loss to Topeka High in the Capital City Classic on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Topeka.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomores Zoey Barber, right, and Lucy Juelsgaard high-five after a Barber Free throw in a 75-72 loss to Topeka High in the Capital City Classic on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Topeka.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Cami Nauholz looks to pass in a 75-72 loss to Topeka High in the Capital City Classic on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Topeka.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Zoey Barber, right, high-fives freshman Marley Doleman after drawing a foul in a 75-72 loss to Topeka High in the Capital City Classic on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Topeka.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Lucy Juelsgaard passes to the corner in a 75-72 loss to Topeka High in the Capital City Classic on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Topeka.