LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – The Lincoln University will kick off men's basketball season this weekend with the CIAA/PSAC Basketball Challenge featuring Bowie State University of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) against East Stroudsburg University and Millersville University of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Tickets are CASH ONLY $10 for general admission and $5 for students with ID. Fans can watch the action live by visiting www.lulions.com/livestream.
 
The CIAA/PSAC Basketball Challenge's first matchup features the Marauders of Millersville University battling the Bulldogs of Bowie State University at 6p.m. on Friday, November 14^th. The Lions will open their 2014 season at 8 p.m. against East Stroudsburg University.
 
Saturday's action begins with the Lady Lions tangling with the Bobcats of West Virginia Wesleyan University at 2p.m., followed by Bowie State and East Stroudsburg at 4p.m., while Lincoln host Millersville at 6 p.m. in the challenge finale.
 
The 2013-14 Lincoln Lion's season was one to remember. The team had its first 20 win season under Head Men's Basketball Coach John Hill. When competing in Manuel Rivera Hall they were at their best compiling a record of 13-2. The team finished the season with a 20-9 record which included a 10-6 CIAA campaign. This years' squad returns six student-athletes from last season led by seniors Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) and Kyle Aiken (Randolph, NJ/Randolph HS). Forward Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) averaged 9.4 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, and led Lincoln in blocked shots averaging 1.1 per game. Efese reached double-figure scoring in 12 games and had 10 games with multiple blocked shots. At the guard position Kyle Aiken (Randolph, NJ/Randolph HS) led the Lions from three-point range shooting 40% and also from the free-throw line (78%) converting on 32-of-41 attempts. Aiken shot a perfect 100% from the free-throw line in nine games and had five double-digit scoring performances last season.  
 
Bowie State ended the 2013-2014 campaign with a 14-14 overall record (8-8 in the CIAA), and finished as the top team in the conference's Northern Division heading in to the CIAA Championships. Key returnees for Bowie State will include senior guard Zafir Williams (6-0, Philadelphia, Pa.), senior forward Joel Clemmons (6-7, Forest Heights, Md.), senior guard Cameron Knox (5-11, Baltimore, Md.), junior guard Justin Beck (6-2, Baltimore, Md.) and junior forward Andre Jackson (6-6, Baltimore, Md.).
 
East Stroudsburg University returns all but one senior from the 2013-14 season (30-2) as the Warriors are ranked in the top 5 in all three Division II preseason polls entering 2014-15. ESU won its 2nd PSAC title in 3 years, hosted the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional and advanced to the regional final for the 2nd time in school history. Four starters return, led by the All-PSAC East 1st team backcourt of seniors Matt Tobin and All-American Whis Grant.
 
The top returnees for Millersville University are Kelvin Parker, Tyree Smith and Jalen Lester. All three players averaged more than 8.0 points per game. Despite playing in only 14 games, Parker still led Millersville in steals on the season with 35. When he was in the lineup, he led the team in scoring, assists and rebounds. He scored double-figure points in all but one game and scored 20-plus points six times. The team went 8-6 with him in the lineup and 4-8 without him.