Box Score

BALTIMORE, Md. — The night nearly belonged to the hometown boy.

Attempting to will his team to the biggest win in program history, Baltimore native Denzel Mooney (Baltimore, Md./Western School of Technology) dropped a career-high 31 points, but sidelined for stretches of the last 10 minutes in foul trouble, NCAA Division I Coppin State defeated the upstart Lincoln men's basketball team, 70-57.

With Mooney and Lincoln's other top scorer Eugene Smith (West Palm Beach, Fl/PennWood ) (seven points) picking up their fourth fouls midway through the second half, the Eagles' 14-4 run erased a four-point deficit and left Lincoln without the milestone win.

The Lions ran the gamut of emotions. Coppin State stormed out to an incredible 21-4 start with 14:36 left in the opening half and appeared headed for a lopsided win over Division II Lincoln.

At that point, Mooney single-handedly got LU (0-4) back in the game. Combining a barrage of lay-ups, runners, jumpers and 3-point bombs, the junior guard from Baltimore's Western School of Technology totaled 20 points in the first half, none bigger than his 3-pointer to give Lincoln a 33-32 lead with 2:53 left in the first half.

"I never anticipated having a night like that," he said. "As soon as I made that runner over two guys early, I knew I was on."

The 31 points were the most of any player since Damian Hyman (Bronx, NY/Harry S. Truman) had 29 points versus Virginia Union in overtime on Feb. 4 of this year.

The shooting guard seemingly saves his best for the biggest stages. On Dec. 29, 2009 against Kutztown, he had a then-career best 18 points. By halftime, Lincoln led 36-33 and silenced the Physical Education Complex on Coppin State's Complex.

In the second half, Lincoln and Coppin State (2-2) were tied on three occasions, but a 14-4 run aided by Mooney and Smith battling foul trouble during the final 12 minutes, proved to be the difference.

Despite the loss, there is solace to be had. The 52 points were a season high, an impressive feat considering this is the toughest test of the season. As a team, Lincoln shot 42.6 percent including 59.1 percent in the first half.

Up Next

The Lions travel to Millersville University on December 4. That game tips off at 3 p.m.