PHILADELPHIA, Pa. –
Sharay DuBose (Salisbury, Md./Parkside HS) hit a critical 3-pointer down the stretch and the Lincoln University women's basketball team held off rival Cheyney, 55-50, on Friday night at the Liacouras Center.
“Sharay is working her way back into basketball shape after playing volleyball, but she has an eye for the ball,” Lady Lions coach
Jessica Kern said. “I trust her with the basketball. We're playing in spurts. We are letting teams back into the game. I am happy that they kept their composure. Cheyney University is another game. We are a one conference win team, and until we prove people differently, it's just another win, and now we move on to the next game.”
Courtney Lucas (Washington, DC/Friendship Collegiate Academy), who was 6-of-12 from the field, paced Lincoln (3-1) with 14 points as the Lady Lions are off to their best start since the 2000-2001 season. DuBose finished with 12 points, including going 9-of-10 from the free-throw line.
Denyse Moore (Hampton, Va./Woodside HS) chipped in with 11 points, while
Mfon Ekanem (Springdale, Md./C.H. Flowers HS) pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds as Lincoln was 17-of-50 shooting for 34 percent.
Cheyney (0-2) rallied from as many as nine points down to grab a 47-44 lead after a jumper by Kyra McGriff with 5:48 remaining. The Lady Lions answered and took the lead for good at 51-48 after DuBose's 3-pointer from the right wing.
“It felt good,” DuBose said about the win. “I'm a shooter if I have the space, I'm going to shoot the ball. In the first half, nothing was falling, but I knew it was going to fall. I'm feeling relaxed and relieved. I don't have as much pressure with all the new players. It's my senior year, so I really wanted to get the victory.”
Aerie DeJesus paced Cheyney with 17 points and seven boards, while Brooke Garrett had 11 points and six rebounds as the Lady Wolves shot 27 percent (18-of-68) from the field.
The Lady Lions take a bit of a break and resume play 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 28 in Bloomsburg, Pa., against Bloomsburg University.
