Box Score
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. — Memorable nights by two LU guards were not enough against Chowan University Monday night at Manuel Rivero Hall, as the Lincoln men fell, 77-73.
Ladaye Johnson (Wilmington, DE/Hodgson Vo-Tech) (Wilmington, Del./Hodgson Vo-Tech) led LU with 27 points aided by a career-high tying five three pointers. Sophomore Darren Clark (Boston, MA/Largo) (Boston, Mass./Largo, Md.) had 24.
Junior big man Eugene Smith (West Palm Beach, Fl/PennWood ) (West Palm Beach, Fla./Penn Wood) provided solid play inside the paint, netting 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 blocks.
Going all the way down to the wire, with Lincoln down by three points with 20 seconds left in the game, a Clark turnover proved to be the end for Lincoln.
Johnson, a senior, was instrumental in keeping the Lions afloat in the first half, scoring 18 points, including 4 3-pointers.
Three shots from beyond the arc from Johnson made it 11-11 early on. Chowan pulled away with dunks from Lando Morrison and Jaleel Nelson. Two straight threes from Charles Rhodes gave the Hawks a comfortable margin going into the locker room, leading 38-27.
Chowan continued its momentum gained in the first period hitting its first two buckets.
The story of the second half for Lincoln however was sophomore point guard Clark. After scoring only four points in the first, the Largo, Md., native put up an impressive 20 in the second half.
A Johnson three pointer with 14:22 remaining pulled Lincoln within six at 48-42. It also tied his career high.
With the time dwindling down, Clark came up big with a three pointer of his own to give Lincoln the lead at 69-68 with Chowan up. Mark Brown would answer right back with one of his own to regain the lead at 71-69.
After missing a shot, Johnson would get fouled on a layup attempt, making one free throw to make it a one point game at 71-70.
For Chowan, Nelson used his wiry frame en route to 23 points and nine rebounds. Brown also netted 23.
Lincoln returns to action on Thursday as they host Philadelphia University. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Manuel Rivero Hall. Fans can catch all the action on www.brandywineradio.com.
— LU —
