Box Score
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. (February 5, 2011) — The Lincoln University men's basketball team could not hold on after erasing a double-digit deficit Saturday afternoon at Manuel Rivero Hall.
The Lions led by three with 12:56 to go against Saint Paul's College, but the Tigers responded to the challenge and held off Lincoln, 71-64.
Lincoln (2-16, 1-10 CIAA, 1-4 North) was led by Denzel Mooney (Baltimore, Md./Western School of Technology)'s 23-points, the 10th time he's reached at least 20 points this season. He also had a career-high eight rebounds. Eugene Smith (West Palm Beach, Fl/PennWood ) remained a steady presence in the post throughout the afternoon with 12 points and five rebounds.
Lincoln trailed by 10 in the first half but by halftime had gotten within 35-29. Part of that resurgence could be credited to Jamil Brown, playing in his first game for the Lions after transferring from Delaware State University. He scored six points and showed an ability to get to the basket with several acrobatic drives. Mooney, though, paced LU with 14 points in the opening period, showing a return to form after struggling for just one point in the second half of Thursday's game against Virginia State.
Inside of 18 minutes left, Lincoln first gained the lead on a jumper by Terron Jones (Bronx. NY/Fiorello H. LaGuardia HS). Over the game's next four minutes, Lincoln successfully withstood body blows from the Tigers (8-11, 5-7 CIAA, 4-2 North) until George LeSuer drained a three to tie the game with 12:32 remaining and then took the lead on their next possession following a free throw by Quinton McBeth.
The game remained constantly contested, and LU had several opportunities to tie or take the lead. The Lions were within one on five occasions, the last with 2:55 to go on a free throw by Quinton Hector (Schertz, Texas/Samuel Clemens HS), but could not muster the necessary stop or the clutch shot needed for what would have been the team's first divisional win.
Up Next
Lincoln travels to Bowie State on Sunday to take on the Bulldogs. They are looking for their second-straight win at A.C. Bulldog Arena after winning 97-91 last year.
— LU —
