Box Score
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. — Coach John Hill entered Saturday's game believing that this may have been the toughest test yet on a young season.
Facing a Kutztown University men's basketball team that has made two straight trips to the NCAA Regionals, Lincoln had the game within reach before cold shooting and foul trouble ended in a 70-60 defeat to the Golden Bears.
Still, Hill has to be pleased. Reigning CIAA Player of the Week Denzel Mooney (Baltimore, Md./Western School of Technology) made for repeat honors with a team-high 21 points behind 5-of-12 shooting from the field including 3-of-7 from behind the arc. He also had four rebounds.
The junior guard from Baltimore has reached double figures in four of the last five games and notched his second 20-point game of the season.
Leading Lincoln (0-6) on the guards was Eugene Smith (West Palm Beach, Fl/PennWood ) with seven boards, three of which were on the offensive end in just 15 minutes of work.
Although winless, the Lions have led at the break in four of their six games this season, but as they have in the previous three instances, the opposition orchestrated a comeback.
Heading into the intermission up 38-31 after shooting better than 40 percent from the field Lincoln's touch went cold.. The Golden Bears (6-2) were not much better at 30.8 percent and both teams combined for just seven baskets.
Foul trouble was a deciding factor once. Once Smith and Domonique Stewart fouled out midway through the second half, KU's Tamir Johnson was able to use his size in the post, scoring a game-high 23 points.
After going down 56-48, the Lions attempted a comeback of their own using a pair of free throws and a tough basket in the paint by Kamaal Mattavous (White Plains, NY/Woodlands) allowed LU to creep within single digits. When Denzel Mooney (Baltimore, Md./Western School of Technology) knocked down two free throws with l4:29 left brought LU to 60-58, the game seemed destined to end on the final possession.
However, Lincoln's offense stumbled on the ensuing trips down the floor and the Golden Bears successful free-throw attempts provided the final 70-60 margin.
The Lions began the game furiously, scoring the game's first six points, but the Kutztown regrouped quickly and would briefly take a 10-9 lead. However, Lincoln responded as well and a dagger trey by Kwaheem Smith (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Catholic) restored order.
Up Next
Lincoln hosts Central State University of Ohio on Wednesday in the final non-conference matchup prior to the start of the CIAA schedule on Jan. 6 when the Lions host Saint Augustine's College.
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