Box Score

BALTIMORE, Md. — Playing its first-ever official game against an NCAA Division I opponent, the Lincoln University women's basketball team (0-3) appeared unfazed against Coppin State at the Physical Education Complex.

The Lady Lions had fought off a surge and responded. After creeping with within 10 with 7:11 to go in the first half, however, the Lady Eagles (1-3) began capitalizing on their size and strength advantages for a decisive 95-65 win.

Despite the momentum switch, the progress over the last two years was evident. In an exhibition last year against Division I Delaware State, the Lady Lions lost, 83-28. Tuesday, LU matched that output in the first half alone.

Danielle Smallwood (Philadelphia, PA/West Catholic) led all scorers with a season-high 17 points including Lincoln's first nine of the second half. DeJuana Mosley (Chester, PA/Chester) had a team-high six rebounds while Sasha Evans (Hampton, VA/Phoebus) dished out four assists.

"They're D-I, we're D-II," Smallwood said.  "That just proves we can play with anybody."

Coming off of her 14th career 20-point game and the CIAA Newcomer of the Week Award, DuBose scored the Lady Lions' first five points including the game's first bucket with a deep three. Moments later, she halted a Lady Eagles' run with a nifty up-and-under lay-in.

Smallwood added five points early in the first half and her nine-straight points chipped the halftime hole to 57-37. It was her first double-digit game since tallying 13 points on Jan. 25, 2010.

"I've always had the confidence," she said. "It's about going out there and playing and making things happen. Tonight, I was able to do that."

Lincoln had to be pleased with the production from the point guard position. Midway through the first period, Sasha Evans (Hampton, VA/Phoebus) maneuvered the ball through traffic with a bounce pass to Tahlar McIntosh (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Alvernia HS), who easily converted.

Cynthia Johnson (Randallstown, MD/Baltimore Polytechnic Institute) relieved Evans later in the period and had an acrobatic basket and immediately impacted the dynamic of the game with her ability to get to the basket.  As she dribbled into the lane and pulled up with a jump-stop, she was fouled but still got the runner to fall.

After going down by as much as 32-16, LU got back within 10 with an 8-2 run at the 7:11, but the maladies that afflicted the Lady Lions against Cheyney University last Friday reared themselves once more.

The Lady Lions had 21 turnovers in the first half for the second-straight game, enabling CSU to have 26 points off turnovers to stretch the lead to 53-28 at the break.

The Lady Lions came out of the break on a 9-4 run with Smallwood responsible for each of those points in that run. The Lady Eagles would reassert control to secure their first win of the season.

The Lady Lions also enjoyed contributions from Brittney Waters (Capitol Heights, Md./Charles H. Flowers) (eight points) and McIntosh (seven points).

The Lady Lions travel to Lock Haven on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. The game is a make-up of from Nov. 12.