RICHMOND, VA. (February 14, 2009) – The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team displayed plenty of heart in rallying from an 18-point second half deficit before falling short, 73-67, to 21st-ranked Virginia Union at Barco-Stevens Gym Saturday night. (BOXSCORE)
For the second time in three games, Lincoln stormed back from a deep second-half double-digit deficit. The Lions sliced 16 points off a 17-point Elizabeth City State University lead Tuesday evening. Saturday, Lincoln erased 16 points off of Virginia Union's 18-point advantage.
Lincoln freshman Darren Clark (Boston, MA/Largo) pulled Lincoln to within, 61-59, with 5 minutes, 7 seconds remaining. After trailing, 49-31, with 16:30 remaining, Lincoln's defense, shooting and tenacity had the Lions in possession of the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead. Unfortunately for Lincoln, it could get over the hump as Virginia Union earned its 19th victory of the season.
The Lions opened the game on fire by sprinting to a 10-3 advantage following a Eugene Smith (West Palm Beach, Fl/PennWood ) basket four minutes into the game. Virginia Union immediately responded by scoring 18 straight points to take a 21-10 lead with 9:54 remaining in the first half. Virginia Union held a double-digit edge for most of the first half before settling for a 39-26 lead at intermission.
Freshman Denzel Mooney (Baltimore, Md./Western School of Technology), in his third career start, lit up Virginia Union for a team-high 18 points. Mooney has led Lincoln in scoring in consecutive games. He has made 10 3-pointers in his last two games. As a team, Lincoln made 13 3-pointers, the eighth time this season, Lincoln has made double-digit 3-pointers.
Helping Mooney was junior Bryant Leach (Philadelphia, PA/John Bartram), who notched his seventh career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Leach also handed out six assists. Junior Damian Hyman (Bronx, NY/Harry S. Truman) added 13 points for the Lions. Senior Jabyron Wilson finished with eight points and a team-high 13 rebounds, the ninth time this season he has grabbed double-digit rebounds. Clark had nine points and three steals.
Virginia Union was paced by Gregg Thonidique's 24 points and 16 rebounds. Branden Smith scored 17 points and Lemonye Williams had 11 points and nine rebounds for the Panthers, who are ranked second in the Atlantic Region in the latest Division II poll.
Lincoln returns home to face Saint Paul's College beginning at 7:30 p.m. in its final home game.
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