RALEIGH, N.C. – Denzel Mooney (Baltimore, Md./Western School of Technology)'s potential game-tying shot with two seconds remaining was blocked as the Lincoln University men's basketball team dropped a tough CIAA opener to Saint Augustine's College, 60-56, at Emery Gymnasium.
 
Kyle Aiken (Randolph, NJ/Randolph HS) came off the bench to spark the Lincoln offense as he poured in 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Mooney and Justin Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) each had 13 points, while Kenny Sharpe (Chester, Pa./Elite Academy) led the way with eight rebounds as the Lions were 20-of-57 from the floor for 35 percent.
 
The Lions (5-7 overall, 0-1 CIAA) built a 28-17 lead with 11:12 remaining in the first half when Terron Jones (Bronx. NY/Fiorello H. LaGuardia HS) drained 3-pointer and took a 37-33 advantage into the break.
 
Nick Chamblee sank a 3-pointer with 15:33 left to tie the game at 37, but the Lions refused to give the lead up and took a 52-45 advantage after an Aiken jumper with 8:22 remaining.
 
However, the Falcons (6-5, 1-0) used an 8-0 run and took a 53-52 lead after a Tyquan Stroman jumper with 5:56 remaining. Lincoln got free throws by Mooney and Richard Glover (Baltimore, Md./Havre De Grace HS) to chip the Saint Augustine's advantage to 57-56 with 1:19 remaining.
 
Chris Rhodes went to the foul line with 26 seconds left and hit the second of two free throws to give the Falcons a 58-56 lead. The Lions called timeout with 16 seconds remaining to set up the final play as Mooney's shot with two seconds left was blocked by Stroman to give Saint Augustine's the win. Stroman sealed the game with one second by sinking a pair of free throws.
 
Stroman was the lone Falcons player to reach double figures, scoring 20 points and pulling down seven rebounds as Saint Augustine's was 22-of-51 (41 percent) from the field.
 
Lincoln has its CIAA home opener 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 7 at Manuel Rivero Hall against Livingstone College.