WEST HEMSPSTEAD, NY (December 11, 2007) -- Visiting Lincoln University of Pennsylvania had three players finish with 20 or more points during its 104-80 victory over Briarcliffe College in men's basketball action at the Island Garden Arena Tuesday night. (BOXSCORE)

In helping Lincoln (1-9 overall) win its first game of the season, junior guard Dante Blanton-Holcombe led all scorers with 32 points, tying his career-high he established earlier this season at Holy Family on November 29. Blanton-Holcombe, who has reached double digits in scoring in 13 straight games, also grabbed eight rebounds to go along with three steals and three assists. Blanton-Holcombe scored 23 of his points in the first half to stake Lincoln to a 52-30 halftime advantage. Blanton-Holcombe finished the game 13-for-20 from the field and 5-for-11 from 3-point distance.

Blanton-Holcombe's junior backcourt mate, Ladaye Johnson scored a career-high 27 points. He also grabbed eight rebounds. It was the second consecutive game, Johnson notched a career-high scoring total. Johnson has scored in double figures in three of Lincoln's last four games. Johnson was 10-for-18 from the field and 2-for-7 from 3-point distance. Johnson also handed out six assists.

Junior Jermaine Russell posted his second double-double in three games by scoring 21 points and collecting 14 rebounds. Russell, who was 9-for-14 from the field, scored 19 of his points after intermission. Also reaching double digits for the Lions was sophomore Dominic Washington, who scored a career-high 14 points on 7-for-10 shooting.

With this being the season of giving, Lincoln was more than willing to share the ball as it generated a season-high 27 assists on 43 field goals. Junior guard Chris Henderson handed out eight assists. Eight Lincoln players had at least one assist. Sophomore Frank Lee snatched a career-high seven rebounds in 12 minutes. Lincoln shot a season-high 56 percent for the game (43-for-76). For Lincoln, this was the third consecutive game in which at least four players reached double digits in scoring.

Blanton-Holcombe helped Lincoln improve to 28-2 under coach Garfield Yuille when it scores 100 or more points by scoring 13 consecutive points during a five minute stretch of the first half that gave the Lions control of the contest.

With Lincoln leading 10-7 with 14:42 remaining, Blanton-Holcombe scored his first basket on a layup with 13:46 remaining. Blanton-Holcombe then connected on five straight shots, including three straight 3-pointers to help Lincoln open a 23-13 lead. The Lions' lead never dropped below double digits despite a few minor charges from Briarcliffe.

Briarcliffe (2-5) placed four players in double figures: Joshua Smith (27 points), Nikkita Davis (18 points), Daniel Napalitano (14 points) and Alvin Parker (10 points).

This was the first meeting in school history between Lincoln and Briarcliffe, a school in its exploratory year of NCAA Division II membership. The two teams will meet again on Saturday February 16 at Manuel Rivero Hall.

Lincoln returns to action Thursday night when it visits 2006 NCAA Division II national champion Virginia Union University in Richmond for a 7:30 p.m. start. The game can be heard live at www.redzonemedia.com with Matt Martucci, the voice of the Lions, calling all of the action.

--LU--