2012-2013 Schedule/2012-2013 Roster

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. - The Lincoln University women's basketball team, picked to finish sixth by the CIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, looks to surpass last season's performance. The Lady Lions ended last season with a loss to Winston-Salem State, 79-57, in the opening round of the CIAA Tournament and finished 7-22.
 
Lincoln looks to continue its progress under the leadership of Jessica Kern, who enters her second season as head coach.  
 
In her first season, Kern improved the team's record from the previous season. She earned her first collegiate head coaching victory in her very first game, a 60-50 win over Bluefield State. She received her first CIAA victory by defeating Chowan, 68-67. The last time the Lady Lions registered seven victories was during the 2007-2008 season when the program was Division III.
  The Lady Lions returned eight players from last year's team, which features five seniors, a junior and a pair of sophomores. One of the key members coming back is All-CIAA Preseason player Denyse Moore (Hampton, Va./Woodside HS), who earned the school's first-ever preseason honor.
 
Moore (PG/SG. 5-7 SR, Hampton, Va.) led the Lady Lions in scoring with 347 points, 102 assists, and 82 steals last season.  Moore's 20 points against Georgian Court last season gave the Lady Lions a 57-54 victory and their best start since the 2006-2007 season. She played in all 29 games and averaged a team-best 33.2 minutes per game. She also shot 70 percent (105-of-150) from the free-throw line. Moore scored a career-high 21 points against Saint Thomas Aquinas. She also registered a career-high nine steals against Shaw.
 
“As our first CIAA pre-season selection, Denyse has hit the weight room hard and was a 'gym rat' this summer,” Kern said. “This season she will be able to focus on playing the shooting guard position which is a natural fit for her. As a senior she has taken the task of being a champion on and off the court. She aspires and could be Lincoln's first Women's Basketball Player to play post-collegially!”
 
Mfon Ekanem (Springdale, Md./C.H. Flowers HS) (C, 6-2, SR, Springdale, Md.) headed the team in 2011-2012 with 223 rebounds and 43 blocked shots.  She appeared in 28 games and became the Lincoln single-game leader in rebounds in a game with 21 versus Ohio Valley and scored a season-best six points at Elizabeth City State.
 
 “Our enforcer in the paint – Mfon will not have to play as many minutes this year,” Kern said. “We are looking for quality minutes to keep her healthy. Scoring is a non-negotiable option this year and she has accepted the task with conviction.”
 
Brittney Waters (Capitol Heights, Md./Charles H. Flowers) (SG, 5-10, SR, Capitol Heights, Md.) appeared in 28 games and averaged 17.6 minutes per game. She finished second on the team in 3-point field goals made with 17. She averaged 4.7 points and 1.7 rebounds while scoring a season-high 16 points at Virginia Union. She was a perfect 7-of-7 at the free-throw line in a season-opening victory over Bluefield State.
 
“Brittney was selected by her teammates as a co-captain and her dedication to being an overall student-athlete has been a wonderful recruiting tool and tutorial for our incoming players,” Kern said. “Brittney pushed herself this pre-season to become a pure shooter. I look forward to more offensive production out of her.”
 
Tahlar McIntosh (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Alvernia HS) (SR, 5-8, SR, Pittsburgh, Pa.) was present for all 29 games and averaged 16.7 minutes and shot 73 percent (33-of-45) from the free-throw line. In addition, she averaged 5.1 points and 3.8 rebounds. McIntosh scored a season-best 14 points at Saint Augustine's and went 7-of-10 at the free-throw line against. She played a season-high 29 minutes against Bloomsburg.
 
“Our top all-around defender, Tahlar has completely recovered from a torn ACL and is 100 percent,” Kern said. “Nicknamed our 'Little Big Man,' she will play the wing position and is looking to be a top threat from behind the arch.”
 
Krystal Fluellen (New York, N.Y./Richard Green HS) (SF/PF, 6-0, SR, New York, N.Y.) finished second on the team with 155 rebounds and fourth best on the team in scoring with 180 points. She played in all 29 games  and averaged 21.4 minutes per game. Fluellen scored a career-high 15 points in a season-opening victory over Bluefield College and pulled down a career-best 12 rebounds against Washington Adventist.
 
“Krystal is stepping into her new role – as a Guard/Forward,” Kern said. “We expect some diversity out of her this year and she will be asked to take on various assignments that will tap into her extensive basketball IQ.”  
 
Cynthia Johnson (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Polytechnic Institute) (PG, 5-7, JR, Randallstown, Md.), who is the lone returning junior, played in all 29 games as she averaged 24.6 minutes and was 81-of-133 from the free-throw line for 61 percent. She finished second on the team with 41 assists and 45 steals. She finished third on the team in scoring with 248 points. Johnson scored a career-high 22 points against Virginia Union and also recorded nine rebounds at Chowan.
 
“Although a duel sport athlete – CJ has become the all- around 'ball player,'” Kern said. “She has put on muscle mass, worked on her ball handling and perimeter shooting.  She is expected to be a consistent scorer and one of our top on-ball defenders.”
 
Courtney Lucas (Washington, DC/Friendship Collegiate Academy) (G/F, 5-10, SO, Washington, D.C.) appeared in 28 games, including starting in eight. She averaged 13.8 minutes and scored a career-high 14 points twice against Philadelphia and Cheyney. She also played a career-high 36 minutes against Philadelphia.
 
“Courtney's task in the off-season was to work on her perimeter defense, agility and shot selection,” Kern said. “Courtney has become much stronger physically and will see more action on the wing this year. Her ability to play inside out causes mismatches defensively.”
 
Alaysia Washington (Washington, DC/Friendship Collegiate Academy) (PG, 5-4, SO, Washington, D.C.) played in 23 games, including starting in a pair of contests. She averaged 13.9 minutes, and also scored a career-high 17 points and pulled down three rebounds against Livingstone College.
 
“Last year Alaysia took her bumps and bruises becoming acclimated to the CIAA,” Kern said. “She has worked hard in the off-season and has become more comfortable in a leadership role. Her on-ball defense coupled with her heightened ability to be a vocal leader will be an asset to us this season.”
  The Lady Lions have six newcomers, including one transfer.
 
Briana McKellery (Odenton, MD/Arundel HS) (F, 6-1, JR, Odenton, Md.) comes to Lincoln from Nyack College, where she played last season. Prior to attending Nyack, McKellery played at Arundel High School where she helpd guide the Wildcats to a pair of county championships, a regional crown and a state title.
 
“We are excited to have such a gem in Briana,” Kern said. “Her leaping ability causes problems in the paint and accuracy behind the arch is a threat for post and wing defenders. Look for her to get substantial minutes as the season progresses.”  
 
Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) (SG, 5-6, FR, Middletown, Del.) played at Appoquinimink High School where she helped navigate the Jaguars to back-to-back conference championships. Individual honors include being selected First-Team All-Conference, First-Team All-State, Delaware Girls Basketball High School Player of the Year and Delaware Gatorade State Player of the Year Finalist. Clark amassed 1,029 career points.
 
“Amani is a true scorer who finds a way to get to the rim in an array of way,” Kern said. “She is small in stature, but stands on the mound of accolades she has created during her high school career. We are looking forward to the depth she will bring to us at both the point and shooting guard positions.”
 
Mieana Gaines (Lincoln Park, Mich./Southfield HS) (C, 6-4, FR, Lincoln Park, Mich.) begins her career as a Lady Lion after a spectacular career at University High School in Southfield, Mich., where she earned All-OAA Conference, Co-MVP and Hank Maulder Award. Her career bests including 21 points, 20 rebounds and six blocked shots.
 
“Mieana is a long post player who has a tremendous upside,” Kern said. “At 6-foot-3, she is a natural shot blocker who can run the floor faster than many guards. Her ability to finish around the rim and her overall versatility will allow us to open the floor up.”
 
Lisa Saunders (Hampton, VA/Hampton HS) (G/F, 5-10, FR, Hampton, Va.) was a four-time Team Offensive Player of the Year at Hampton High School in Hampton, Va. An honor roll student, she was also selected the Tide Water Sports Player of the Game for two years and a two-time Honorable Mention selection of the Daily Press.
 
“A chameleon of the game, Lisa will assist us at all positions,” Kern said. “Her height gives her versatility at the guard position and her arrangement of post moves keeps the defense honest and forces mismatches. A hard-nose defender, Lisa compliments our, 'in your face' defensive philosophy well.”
 
Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) (PG/SG, 5-4, FR, Milwaukee, Wis.) comes to Lincoln from Nicolet High School where she helped guide the school to the 2012 state championship. She was selected Honorable Mention as a freshman and Best Defensive Player all four years. A two-time Second-Team All-Conference selection, Smith is third in Nicolet history in 3-pointers and second in steals.
 
“Courtney brings a burst of energy on both ends of the court,” Kern said. “Her floor vision as a point guard, her precise vocal leadership, her ability to knock down the open shot and her harassment style of defense adds depth to our up-temp style of play.”
 
The final newcomer is Paige Phillips (Locust Grove, Va./Riverbend HS), who played at Riverbend High School. Phillips (PF, 6-0, FR, Locus Grove, Pa.), was a member of the Honor Roll and will look to make an immediate impact.
 
“Paige gives us an immediate post presence,” Kern said. “She has a knack for being in the right places at the right time when it comes to rebounding. She is a vocal leader, who commits herself to being a consistent offensive threat. She will be a force in the paint for us.”
  The Lady Lions open the 2012-2013 season on the road on Nov. 10 against Philadelphia University, but will have five short days before their home opener on Nov. 15 against the University of the Sciences at Manuel Rivero Gymnasium.
 
Lincoln takes to the court two days later against Bloomsburg at home on Nov. 17, but will spend the next seven days off before traveling to take on Division I Coppin State on Nov. 24. The month comes to a close as Kutztown makes the trip to Lincoln University on Nov. 27.
 
The Lady Lions will play five times in the month of December, starting with back-to-back road games on Dec. 5 and Dec. 9 against St. Thomas Aquinas and rival Cheyney. Lincoln then plays host to a pair of games prior to Christmas Break as Georgian Court comes to town on Dec. 15 and Central Baptist visits Lincoln University on Dec. 19. After a short layoff because of Christmas Break, the Lady Lions conclude the 2012 portion of their schedule on Dec. 30 at home against Concordia.
 
The fresh new year begins the CIAA portion of the schedule for Lincoln as the Lady Lions open with three straight games at Manuel Rivero Gymnasium, beginning Jan. 3 against Johnson C. Smith. Lincoln takes on Winston-Salem State on Jan. 5 and Livingstone on Jan. 7. The Lady Lions take to the road for four consecutive games as Lincoln meets Fayetteville State on Jan. 10 and then travels to Raleigh, N.C., to meet Saint Augustine's on Jan. 12 and Shaw on Jan. 14. The Lady Lions conclude the road trip with the CIAA Northern Division opener on Jan. 19 against Bowie State.
 
Lincoln returns home on Jan. 23 to meet Elizabeth City State, but getting back on the road for three straight games as the Lady Lions meet Virginia Union on Jan. 26, Chowan on Jan. 30 and Virginia State on Feb. 2.
 
The last stretch of the regular season has Lincoln playing at Manuel Rivero Gymnasium four of the final five games, starting Feb. 9 with Winter Homecoming against Bowie State. After a road trip to Elizabeth City State on Feb. 13, the Lady Lions return home to meet Virginia Union on Feb. 16, Chowan on Feb. 20 and Lincoln concludes the regular season on Feb. 23 with Senior Day against Virginia State.
 
The CIAA Basketball Tournament is Feb. 25-March 2 in Charlotte, N.C., at the Time Warner Cable Arena.