Tonganoxie and Lansing battled Friday in Tonganoxie in the teams’ third meeting of the season.

Just like the first two, the Chieftains couldn’t pick up a victory.

Lansing’s 68-55 victory pushed the Lions record to 8-8 overall and 6-4 in the Kaw Valley League. Tonganoxie dropped to 0-16 overall and 0-9 in the KVL.

Lansing jumped to a 22-15 lead after the first quarter and went into the locker room with a 35-26 lead.

With the game not out of reach, Tonganoxie stayed with Lansing in the third quarter, outscoring the Lions, 12-11, as THS cut the lead to eight.

In the fourth, though, the Lions maintained the lead with another 22-point quarter.

Tonganoxie, which hasn’t been known for its three-point efficiency this season, went 6-for-9 from three-point land, while Lansing attempted just one — which starter Chris Wagner missed.

The treys were a bright spot as Jeff Hughes went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. Zeb Kissinger, Tyler Miles and Jordan Herron also contributed, each with one three-pointer. THS also shot 51 percent from the field, just under Lansing’s nearly 54 percent effort.

“Definitely a much better shooting night,” THS coach David Walker said. “And field goal for field goal were matching with them.”

Tonganoxie also was much improved in the turnover department with 15, compared to the last three games when the squad averaged around 30.

The key to the game, though, was the free-throw line. The Lions went to the line 30 times and sank 22. Tonganoxie, meanwhile, went to the line four times, making just three.

“They were attacking the basket much better,” Walker said of Lansing.

Lansing’s Jeff Slater scored a game-high 20, while Cody Mohan and Matt Warner also were in double figures with 12 and 10 respectively.

For THS, Miles led the Chieftains with 18 as Hughes and Kissinger each had 11.

“I think the effort’s still there,” Walker said about his team, which still is searching for its first win. “And they’re still working and still trying to find ways to improve. They haven’t let up or quit working, that’s for sure.”

Tonganoxie also lost on the road Feb. 7 at Santa Fe Trail, 55-32. Miles and Hughes were top scorers with 12 and 10 respectively.

Tonganoxie played at home Tuesday against Piper and will travel Friday to Shawnee to face Mill Valley.

“We reiterate you work hard, sooner or later this will work out for you,” Walker said. “It may not be today, it may not be tomorrow, but sooner or later it’s going to happen for you.”

Tonganoxie 68, Lansing 55

Score by quarters

Lansing 22 13 11 22 — 68

Tonganoxie 15 11 12 17 — 55

Individual scoring

Lansing — Mohan 12, Wagner 8, Reynolds 4, Kern 6, Warner 10, Slater 20, Jackson 8.

Tonganoxie — Pistora 2, Tyler Miles 18, Hughes 11, Belabrajdic 2, Morris 2, Kissinger 11, Herron 7, Krause 2.