Box Score LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – Courtney Lucas (Washington, DC/Friendship Collegiate Academy) came off the bench to pour in 12 points, but it wasn't enough as the Lincoln University women's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking, 60-54, decision to Elizabeth City State in a CIAA Northern Division contest on Wednesday night at Manuel Rivero Gymnasium.
 
“We need to learn how to close games, period,” Lincoln head coach Jessica Kern said. “It was anyone's night to step up and Courtney Lucas (Washington, DC/Friendship Collegiate Academy) did that. We're getting healthy and we have Virginia Union coming up next.”
 
Lucas was 5-of-8 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line to lead all Lincoln players with 12 points. Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) and Zephrah Pam (Syracuse, NY/Monroe CC) each had nine points as the Lady Lions (7-11 overall, 3-5 CIAA, 1-1 CIAA North) were 20-of-55 shooting for 36 percent.
 
Elizabeth City State (15-3, 7-1, 2-0) raced out to an 18-5 advantage after a bucket by Stephanie Harper with 10:28 remaining, but Lincoln roared back with an 18-11 run during the final 10 minutes to close the gap to 29-23 at the half.
 
The Lady Vikings pushed the margin to 38-30 after a Shatara Jackson layup with 12:41 remaining, but the Lady Lions responded with a 13-2 run, capped by a Lucas bucket to give Lincoln a 43-40 lead with 7:33 left.
 
The Lady Lions extended the advantage to 52-48 after a pair of free throws by Pam with 3:10 left. However, Lincoln couldn't hold on as the Lady Vikings closed out the contest on a 12-2 run to get the win.
 
Stephanie Harper paced Elizabeth City State with 12 points and 16 rebounds. DaShera Boon finished with 11 points as the Lady Vikings shot 40 percent (23-of-58) from the floor.
 
The Lady Lions take to the road for the next three CIAA Northern Division contests, starting 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 26 in Richmond, Va., against Virginia Union University.
 
Lady Lions Notebook: Lincoln trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half, but cut the margin to three points, 18-15, with 6:02 left in the half…Lincoln out-scored Elizabeth City State in bench points, 34-21…The Lady Lions finished 2-of-10 from behind the 3-point line (Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) and Alaysia Washington (Washington, DC/Friendship Collegiate Academy)…Lincoln was 12-of-17 from the free-throw line…The Lady Lions held the advantage on the glass, 39-38, and finished with 12 steals, nine assists and a pair of blocked shots.