LAWRENCEVILLE, Va. (February 7, 2008) – The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team rallied from a 24-point first-half deficit to force overtime before dropping a 108-106 heartbreaker to Saint Paul's College Thursday night at Taylor-Whitehead Gym.(BOXSCORE)
Saint Paul's Collge (7-11) used a 3-pointer from Marcus Mitchell with 1.5 seconds remaining to edge Lincoln (2-19) for the second time this season. The loss spoiled a brilliant game from Lincoln junior Dante Blanton-Holcombe (Baltimore, MD/Dunbar), who scored a career-high 49 points. Blanton-Holcombe gave Lincoln a 106-105 lead with eight seconds remaining in overtime. Blanton-Holcombe also forced overtime when he sank a 3-pointer with defenders draped around him with 10 seconds remaining in regulation.
In setting a career-high for the fourth time this season, Blanton-Holcombe was17-for-36 from the field, 8-for-18 from 3-point land and 7-for-8 from the foul line. It was the 24th consecutive game in which Blanton-Holcombe scored double digits. Prior to the Saint Paul's College game, Blanton-Holcombe's previous career best was 37 points against Virginia Union back in December. The 49 points scored by Blanton-Holcombe ties him for the fourth best scoring performance in Lincoln men's basketball history.
Also reaching double figures for Lincoln was sophomore Ladaye Johnson (Wilmington, DE/Hodgson Vo-Tech) and freshman Aaron Lloyd (Cheltenham, PA/Cheltenham), both of whom, finished with 16 points each. Lloyd also pulled down a career-best 13 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Sophomore Dominic Washington (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) contributed eight points.
After trailing, 50-31, at halftime, Lincoln outscored the hosts 63-44 in the second half. Lincoln opened a 104-99 lead in the extra session with 1:17 remaining following a pair of Emmanuel Kakulu (Boston, MA/Another Course to College) foul shots. However, the Tigers quickly rallied as Moffat and Mitchell made consecutive 3-pointers to put SPC ahead, 105-104 with 15 seconds remaining. Lincoln had chances to extend its lead before Mitchell's 3-pointer, but it missed four foul shots.
For Lincoln, this was its third overtime contest in its last four outings. The Lions are 1-2 in overtime this season, losing to Penn State-Abington and Saint Paul's College and defeating Newport News Apprentice. Also for Lincoln, this was its second defeat this season on the road when the opposing player hit a 3-pointer in the final 2 seconds. Baptist Bible's Justin Cook made a 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining in a 76-75 defeat.
Saint Paul's College had six players reach double digits highlighted by Mitchell's 22 points. Also reaching double digits for the Tigers were Bruce Royal (18 points), Adrian Moffat (17 points), Shawne Jones (16 points), Marcus Reavey (15 points) and Anthony Johnson (10 points).
Lincoln finishes its three-game road trip with a game at Newport News Apprentice School Saturday afternoon beginning at 4:00 p.m. The game can be heard live on www.redzonemedia.com with Matt Martucci, the voice of the Lions, calling all of the action.
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