Box Score Elizabeth City, NC – The Lions (13-4, 5-3) were defeated in overtime by Elizabeth City State University (10-8, 5-3), 64-63 in the R.L. Vaughan Center on Wednesday, January 22^nd. The Vikings made a long range three-pointer at the end of regulation to force overtime then converted on two free-throws with two seconds left in overtime for the win.

 Senior forward, Christopher Kinney dominated the paint with 11 first half rebounds and four points to pace the Lions. Lincoln's defense held the Vikings to 25% shooting from the field and into six turnovers. Junior forward Will Cole (Newark, NJ/Cesar Chavez HS) and senior guard Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) carried the Lions bench with four points each. The Lions had a ten-point advantage with two minutes left in the half but held a 22-16 advantage at the half.

Elizabeth City State outscored Lincoln 39-33 in the second half behind 70% shooting from the field and 13-of-19 made free-throws. The Lions forced seven ECSU turnovers and scored 10 points off of those turnovers in an evenly matched second half of play. Lincoln's junior forward, Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) scored 13 points and grabbed four rebounds. Efese drained two three-pointers and made three free-throws, but a goal-tending call on the Lions with no time left in regulation forced the game into overtime tied at 55.

In the extra session, Elizabeth City State went 5-for-6 from the free-throw line to upset the Lions. ECSU trailed Lincoln 63-62 with 11-seconds left in overtime. The Lions were called for a defensive foul with two seconds remaining, then ECSU made a pair of game-winning free-throws to down Lincoln 64-63 in overtime.

Senior guard George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) led the Lions with 15 points, junior forward Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) also had 15 points and added seven rebounds, and senior guard Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) had 11 points with three assists to lead the bench. Christopher Kinney finished with a team-high 12 rebounds and eight points.

Lincoln falls to 13-4 overall with a 5-3 CIAA record. The Lions will host Virginia Union University at home in their next game on Saturday, January 25^th at 4:00 p.m.