LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – The Lincoln University men's basketball team nearly rallied from a nine-point deficit in the final minute, but Millersville proved to be too much as the Lions dropped their home opener on Wednesday, 72-69, at Manuel Rivero Hall.
 
“We had better rebounding in the (first) half which led to us getting out on the break,” Lincoln head coach John Hill said. “In the second half, they (Millersville) not only made more baskets, but we also gave them second-chance opportunities they didn't get in the first half.
 
“We have a good core of guards and (Denzel) Mooney feels as if he doesn't have to assert himself early and can let the game come to him. Right now we are scoring, but we are struggling in the post. We have a lot of new pieces still trying to gel together.”
 
George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) scored 18 of his career-high 26 points in the first half to lead Lincoln (0-3). Jackson was 10-of-15 from the field, including going 4-of-6 from behind the 3-point line. Denzel Mooney (Baltimore, Md./Western School of Technology) added 18 points, including going 7-of-9 from the free-throw line. The Lions were 22-of-57 shooting for 38 percent.
 
Lincoln, which led at the half, 39-29, trailed 68-59 with 1:05 remaining, but solid defense combined with timely baskets by Mooney and George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) cut the margin to 68-67 with 37 seconds left.
 
The Marauders (2-0) closed out the game by getting free throws by C.J. Scott, Larry Grant and Jaymes Miller to earn the win.
 
Anthony Coleman paced four Millersville players in double figures with 13 points. Mike Seibert, Grant and Scott each chipped in with 11 points, while Elijah Obade pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds as the Marauders were 23-of-57 from the field for 40 percent.
 
Lincoln returns to action 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 18 against rival Cheyney in the “Battle of the Firsts” at the Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University.