PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Lady Lions fell on the road to Philadelphia University, 90-77, in their first defeat of the season. Lincoln was outscored 52-36 in the second half after leading 41-38 at halftime.

Lincoln nailed four shots from long range in the opening half led by junior Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS). Smith displayed a balance attack early, with a pair of three-pointers and an impressive five steals against the Rams. Juniors Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) and Lisa Saunders (Hampton, VA/Hampton HS) each made a three-pointer while Philadelphia struggled from behind the arc failing to convert on an attempt. The Lady Lions trailed the Rams by a close margin for the first 14-minutes of the non-conference matchup despite shooting 53% (15-28) from the field.

Freshman Teira Pendleton (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Poly Institute) gave the Lady Lions their first lead of the game (29-28) with a 6:16 left in the half. Pendleton scored five points in the half leading the LU bench that outscored the Rams 18-9. Sophomore Dejah Taylor added five points with three rebounds carrying Lincoln to a 41-38 advantage at the half.

The Lady Lions held on to a slight lead for beginning minutes of the second half before the Rams went on 6-0 run to spring ahead (53-47) at the 13:40 mark. Lincoln sent Philadelphia to the free-throw line for 23 attempts while the Lady Lions has only nine. Their deficit grew to 18 with 2-minutes left in a tough road outing for the Lady Lions. The Rams also held a 23-16 rebounding advantage in the final half and had three score in double-figures in a 90-77 victory. Ten different Lady Lions scored in the second half led by junior Mieana Gaines (Lincoln Park, MI/Southfield University Academy) and sophomore Jailen Murphy (Nashville, TN/Brentwood Academy)'s six points apiece.

Lincoln falls to 5-1 while Philadelphia improves to 6-1 overall.

Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) recorded a season-high seven steals against Philadelphia and was the only Lady Lion to score in double figures. Mieana Gaines (Lincoln Park, MI/Southfield University Academy) finished with nine points along with Lisa Saunders (Hampton, VA/Hampton HS). Saunders led the Lady Lions bench with a pair of three-pointers, Jailen Murphy (Nashville, TN/Brentwood Academy) had eight points, Teira Pendleton (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Poly Institute) scored seven points with Dejah Taylor. Zephrah Pam (Syracuse, NY/Monroe CC) and Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) both recorded seven points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

The Lady Lions will host Georgian Court at home on Saturday, December 13^th at 2 p.m. in their next action.