LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (January 13, 2009) – The Livingstone College men's basketball team overcame a 13-point first half deficit to defeat Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, 86-73, at Manuel Rivero Hall Thursday night. (BOXSCORE)
Playing its first home game in 45 days, Lincoln (2-10 overall) placed four players in double figures highlighted by double-doubles from Bryant Leach (Philadelphia, PA, John Bartram) (15 points, 12 rebounds) and Jabyron Wilson (14 points, 15 rebounds, four blocked shots). Damian Hyman (Bronx, NY, Harry S. Truman) added 14 points and Darren Clark (Boston, MA, Largo) finished with 11 for the Lions, who were outscored, 25-12, in the final six minutes, 1 second. Eugene Smith (West Palm Beach, Fl, Penn Wood) grabbed eight rebounds for the second consecutive game.
Livingstone rode the 26-point effort of Sean Booker to the victory. Booker finished 9-for-16 from the field and 6-for-11 from 3-point distance. The Blue Bears (6-5) trailed, 45-37, at intermission. Livingstone opened the second half by holding Lincoln to four points over the first 11 minutes. Also scoring in double figures for Livingstone was Tayloe Taylor (19 points, 13 rebounds) and Calvin Gunning (17 points).
Livingstone, which scored the first 11 points of the second half, made 45.2 percent of its shots after intermission while Lincoln struggled in connecting on 26.3 percent. The Blue Bears were also efficient from 3-point distance, making 8-of-17 baskets. Meanwhile, Lincoln made 7-of-31 shots from beyond the arc.
After opening an 60-49 lead, Lincoln stormed back and tied the game, 61-61, with 6:01 remaining following a Leach 3-pointer. The Blue Bears attempted 37 foul shots compared to 13 for Lincoln. The Lions led, 40-27, with 2:22 remaining in the first half following Ladaye Johnson's (Wilmington, DE, Hodgson Vo-Tech) second consecutive 3-pointer.
Both teams return to action Thursday night. Lincoln hosts Virginia State and Livingstone travels to Virginia Union. Both games begin at 7:30 p.m. Lincoln and Livingstone meet again on February 7 in Salisbury (NC).
--LU--
