Box Score
It was another tough loss for the Lincoln University men's basketball team as they gave up a 21-point half time lead en route to a 64-59 loss to visiting Virginia State University.
Lincoln got off to a quick start thanks to their two star guards. Seniors Dante Blanton-Holcombe (Baltimore, MD/Dunbar) (Baltimore, Md./Dunbar) and Damian Hyman (Bronx, NY/Harry S. Truman) (Bronx, N.Y./Harry S. Truman) continue to show an improved ability to work together in the backcourt. The duo would finish the game with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Hyman and Blanton got things started, combining for three field goals from beyond the arc on Lincoln's first three possessions to give the team a 9-1 lead early on.
Lincoln would control the tempo throughout the first half. Solid interior defense from Eugene Smith (West Palm Beach, Fl/PennWood ) was also key, as the Trojans offense looked frustrated with the ball.
Holding on to an eleven point lead early on, Hyman took a lob pass from Darren Clark (Boston, MA/Largo) (Boston, Mass./Largo, Md. to make it a 20-7 game, as the run was on for Lincoln. Showing the Lions' prowess on the defensive end, Virginia State did not hit double figures until the 7:17 mark with a hanging lay-up from Brandon Macklin. Macklin had a game-high 20 points.
This was perhaps the best half coach Garfield Yuille's team has played this season, with a multitude of players contributing. Blanton-Holcombe running full court to block an easy fast break bucket was symbolic of the effort displayed.
Lincoln would see their biggest lead at 33-13, after Hyman trailed a missed Clark lay up attempt to slam it home to get the crowd going. Lincoln went into the locker room with a 39-18 lead.
It was a different Trojans team in the second half. They came out with an extra bounce to their step. They came out on a 7-2 run, punctuated with a Brandon Plummer three pointer.
Coming out sluggish in the second half has plagued this Lions squad all year. Clinton Sellers (Baltimore, MD/Cardinal Gibbons) thinks it may be a mental issue. The 5-foot-5 Sellers was a spark plug throughout the game.
“We always come out in the second half a little flat,” Sellers said. “I guess it's just a composure thing. We fell short. We came out, they got away from their game and slowing it down. In the second half, they came out and ran with us. We got away from it.”
Following a shot from beyond the arc from Virginia State's all-time leader in three point shooting, Trey Mines, the Trojans pulled within eight at 41-33. Brandon Macklin and Clifton Springfield-Cobb would score consecutive baskets to pull the team even closer.
The complexion of the game would change after Ricardo Lipscomb knocked down a dagger from three to knot things up with 8:48 remaining. The team would trade buckets for a two minute period until Macklin solidified his presence in the paint.
A put back from Macklin gave Virginia State their lead at 58-55 with 2:31 remaining. The big man would continue to harass the Lincoln frontcourt with a smooth fade away off the glass. This built the Trojan lead to five at 60-55.
Lincoln would not go away though, pulling within one after a Hyman put back. Sellers would force an offensive foul, giving Lincoln an opportunity to take the lead, but could not take advantage.
With the score at 60-59 and Lincoln needing a stop, Virginia State went to their bread and butter, feeding the ball to Macklin. He went up strong for a lay-up and was fouled. He connected on the free throw, giving the Trojans the lead for good.
“Play team ball,” Sellers said, offering a remedy for his team's second half woes. “He's (Yuille) always telling us that defense is the key. We just have to get up and down the floor and share the ball. I just look forward to the next game and hopefully we can finish out with a bang.”
Both the men's and women's teams will return to action on Thursday as they play host to Bowie State. All the action can be heard on BrandywineRadio.com.
