Box Score
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. — What a way to end the semester.
Backed by three players with career highs, the Lincoln University men's basketball team picked up its first win under first-year head coach John Hill, defeating Central State University, 70-57, Wednesday evening at Manuel Rivero Hall.
“It's a jubilating feeling,” Hill said. “Not many people know how tirelessly these young men have worked for us to get this win. We've played with everybody, but they've slipped away. Today we got it, and they know the taste of victory.”
In Lincoln's final non-conference game prior to the start of the CIAA schedule, seniors Eugene Smith (West Palm Beach, Fl/PennWood ) (19 points) and Emmanuel Kakulu (Boston, MA/Another course of College) (8) and sophomore guard Richard Glover (Baltimore, Md./Havre De Grace HS) (12) had career highs. Junior Denzel Mooney (Baltimore, Md./Western School of Technology) had a game-high 23 points for his third 20+ point game of the season including his second in a row.
“It was a fun game,” Smith said. “It showed our true potential heading into conference.”
The win is an encouraging sign for a roster that includes six players new to the program and another three that redshirted last year.
The Lions had led at halftime in four games this season including Saturday against Kutztown but had not won a second half all season. Wednesday the Lions trailed, 26-25, at the intermission in what was a very even first half. LU led by as many as four following a jumper by Terron Jones (Bronx. NY/Fiorello H. LaGuardia HS) five minutes into the game. The period featured six ties and seven lead changes.
The second half was unquestionably all Lions. Trailing by one, Denzel Mooney (Baltimore, Md./Western School of Technology) hit a jumper with 18:31 to go to give Lincoln a 29-28 lead. LU scored eight straight points to establish control and would eventually lead 44-32 when Dominique Stewart (Islandia, NY/St. John the Baptist) took a feed from Mooney and made the lay-in, despite being fouled, and converted the ensuring free-throw for a three-point play.
The Marauders, led by Greg Rice, would have a final run in them. An 11-1 stretch closed the margin to 45-43 with less than eight minutes to go. However, Smith, Mooney and Emmanuel Kakulu (Boston, MA/Another course of College) combined for 22 of Lincoln's final 25 points to regain control. Kakulu's lay-up with 2:16 left secured the win by bringing the lead back to double digits, earning Hill his first victory with Lincoln.
In addition to clutch fee-throw shooting and timely shooting, Lincoln forced the Marauders into uncharacteristic turnovers. In all, CSU turned the ball over 23 times, compared to LU's 19.
“We are one of the best defensive teams in the CIAA, hands down,” Smith said. “We're looking to get better.”
The offense continues to gel. The 70 points is a season high and the Lions have now scored at least 60 points in back-to-back games after not reaching that feat during the season's first five contests.
“The whole team is getting more comfortable on offense,” Archie said.
Lincoln is off until Jan. 6, when it will begin the conference schedule. Saint Augustine's College comes to Manuel Rivero Hall for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.
