LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – Off to its best start ever in NCAA Division II, the Lincoln University men's basketball team seeks its second consecutive CIAA win on Saturday as the Lions take on No. 23 Winston-Salem State University at Manuel Rivero Gymnasium.
 
“Last year they had more size and depth than us,” Lincoln head coach John Hill said. “They wore us down, but we were able to keep it a close game. They just made a play or two down the stretch. This year we have some additional size to help neutralize their post players and we've got some depth on the bench. This game will come down to how well we defend and if we can make a couple of shots.”
 
The Lions and Rams are featured as the CIAA Marquee matchup of the week.
  League play gets into full gear this week as conference teams look to get off to a strong start in the always ultracompetitive CIAA divisional races.  This week's key conference matchup features a tilt between defending CIAA champion and preseason Southern Division favorite Winston-Salem State and Northern Division upstart Lincoln University. 
 
After a disappointing 1-2 start, the 23^rd ranked Rams have regrouped and reeled off seven straight wins to improve to 8-2 entering the meat of their conference schedule.  The Rams return to the hardwood for the first time in 2013 when they travel to Pennsylvania to take on resurgent Lincoln (PA) on Saturday. 
 
WSSU has not played a game since December 18 when they edged Virginia Union 66-65 in Richmond, while Lincoln rebounded from a loss to Central State prior to Christmas break to defeat Johnson C. Smith, 75-68, on Thursday night.
 
The Rams are led by a trio of Preseason All-CIAA picks in senior guards Justin Glover and Marcus Wells and sophomore forward WyKevin Bazemore, all integral contributors in Winston-Salem State's run to the 2012 CIAA title.  Glover leads the bunch, averaging 14 points a game.  Six other Rams average between six and 10 points per game.  Bazemore, last season's CIAA Rookie of the Year, leads the team in rebounding, averaging 7.3 boards a game.  The Rams average 77.2 points per game and shoot 44.6 % from the field. 
 
After an 11-18 record last season, Lincoln (PA) is off to an 8-2 start this season.  The Lions, picked to finish fifth in the Northern Division, opened the season with a confidence-building 68-62 road win over Division I Howard University and a close loss to Saint Leo's University, who was ranked 14^th in the Division II poll at the time.  The Lions then rolled to five straight wins before a sluggish start against Central State ended in a 73-69 loss.  Lincoln is led by guard Kenny Sharpe (Chester, Pa./Elite Academy) who is scoring 17 points a game. Guards George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS), Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) and forward Will Cole (Newark, NJ/Cesar Chavez HS) all average in double figures for the Lions who score 70.1 points per game.  Tipoff is set for 4 pm at Lincoln's Manuel Rivero Gymnasium.
 
HOT HANDS:
Winston-Salem State:
Justin Glover, Sr. Guard 6-3 (14.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.8 apg), Wakefield Ellison, Sr. Forward 6-6 (10.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg), WyKevin Bazemore, So.  Forward 6-4 (8.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg), Marcus Wells, Sr.  Guard 6-1 (7.5 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.5 rpg)
 
Lincoln Lions:
Kenny Sharpe (Chester, Pa./Elite Academy), Guard, 6-3 Sr. (17.0 ppg, 4.1 apg, 2.7 rpg), George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS), Guard, 5-11 Jr. (14.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.1 spg), Will Cole (Newark, NJ/Cesar Chavez HS), Forward, 6-8 So.  (11.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg), Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS), Guard 6-0 Jr. (11.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg)
 
LAST MEETING:
In their only meeting last season, Justin Glover had 17 points, 6 rebounds and three assists as Winston-Salem State defeated Lincoln 59-52 on January 16, 2012 at WSSU's C.E. Gaines Center.
 
Tip-off on Saturday at Lincoln University is 4 p.m., and to follow the action through live stats, click here.