LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – On a night when Lincoln University recognized
Denzel Mooney (Baltimore, Md./Western School of Technology) for recording his 1,000 career point, the Lions never trailed in defeating Pfeiffer, 76-64, on Saturday night at Manuel Rivero Hall.
“We gritted it out today,” Lincoln head coach
John Hill said. “I always tell them never let anybody come and beat you on your own home court. We are 2-1 so far at home and I want this team to be built not to have a losing streak.”
Mooney finished just two points shy of his season high with 24 points, including going 10-of-12 from the free-throw line.
Kenny Sharpe (Chester, Pa./Elite Academy) and
George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) each added 13 points, with Jackson dishing out a team-high seven assists.
Justin Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) recorded 12 points as the Lions were 29-of-62 shooting for 47 percent.
“It hasn't really hit me yet,” Mooney said, who scored his 1,000
th career point on Wednesday at Washington Adventist. “I could never fathom scoring all those points and I'm just trying to embrace it because it's a lot of points and large accomplishment that I can say comes from hard work in and out of the gym.”
The Lions (5-4), winners of five of their last six games, led 31-27 at the break. However, Pfeiffer (4-3) closed the gap to 31-30 after a 3-pointer by Elijah Matthews.
Lincoln pushed the advantage to 44-37, but against Pfeiffer cut the deficit to 44-43 with 12:45 remaining. The Lions used a 20-11 run to extend the lead to 64-54 with 5:23 remaining after a
Justin Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) jumper.
The Falcons (4-3) never got any closer than eight points in the final five minutes.
Danny Smith led Pfeiffer with 20 points, including going 10-of-14 from the charity stripe. Matthews had 13 points and Reggie Hollinger chipped in with 12 as the Falcons were 20-of-48 shooting for 42 percent.
The Lions take to the court next 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 13 in Philadelphia, Pa., against Holy Family University.
