RALEIGH, N.C. – The Lady Lions made a season-high eight three-pointers in a 87-66 road loss to Shaw University on Monday, January 12^th at C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium.

In their third straight road game against the CIAA Southern Division, the Lady Lions got off to a quick start against the defending CIAA Champions. Lincoln used a pair of three-pointers by senior Courtney Lucas (Washington, DC/Friendship Collegiate Academy) and junior Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) accompanied with layups by sophomore De'jah Taylor (Nanuet, NY/Paramus Catholic Regional) and junior Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) to open up their largest lead (14-8) of the game at the 15:54 mark. The Lady Bears responded with a 22-4 run over the next eight minutes of action dictating the momentum. A fast start by the Lady Lions was slowed down by the defensive pressure of the Lady Bears and were held to 8-of-29 (27 percent) shots from the field and into 11 first half turnovers.

Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) scored six early points while De'jah Taylor (Nanuet, NY/Paramus Catholic Regional) had five along with junior Mieana Gaines (Lincoln Park, MI/Southfield University Academy). Shaw's bench outscored Lincoln's bench 22-4 and won the battle in the paint 20-12. Shortly before the first half concluded, Shaw went on a 6-0 run and extended their advantage to 48-27 at the half.

The Lady Bears held onto a double digit lead for the entire second half despite Lincoln improving their overall play. The Lady Lions shot 14-of-35 (40 percent) from the field and converted on 5-of-9 free-throws a much needed improvement from the first half. Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) and Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) combined for 27 of the 39 second half points for the Lady Lions. Clark made 6-of-9 shots from the field and Smith was lights out from long range knocking down 4-of-9 three-pointers. Shaw maintained their lead and defeated Lincoln 87-66.

Junior Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) scored a season-high 20 points against Shaw on a career-best five made three-pointers. Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) added 17 points on 8-of-11 made field goals to go along with five steals, and three assists. Courtney Lucas (Washington, DC/Friendship Collegiate Academy) finished with seven points, four rebounds, and three steals. De'jah Taylor (Nanuet, NY/Paramus Catholic Regional) had six points and Mieana Gaines (Lincoln Park, MI/Southfield University Academy) had five points.

Lincoln falls to 3-2 in CIAA play and 11-4 overall while Shaw moves to 3-3 in CIAA play and 10-8 overall. The Lady Lions open up CIAA Northern Divisional play against Bowie State University on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 1 p.m. at A.C. Jordan in Bowie, MD.