Box Score BOWIE, Md. – Lincoln suffered a heartbreaking 66-65 loss to rival Bowie State University on Saturday, January 17^th in AC Jordan Arena. Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) scored 12 points and had 13 rebounds to lead the Lions on national television.

Junior Rysheen Dorn (Philadelphia, PA/A.S.A. College) made his first career start for the Lions and became an instant spark with six first half points and four rebounds. The Lions made 4-of-5 (80-percent) shots from long range and 7-of-8 (87-percent) free-throws. Freshman Quaman Burton (Richmond, VA/John Marshall HS) led the Lions with seven points from off the bench. Burton converted on 5-of-6 from the charity stripe and dished out three early assists. Sophomore Joshua Davis (Saginaw, MI/Louisburg Junior College) and junior Chaz Sharp (Baltimore, MD/Xavier University of Louisiana) also had six points apiece as the teams battled in a close first half. The score was tied seven times with four lead changes. A late three-pointer by senior Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) gave the Lions a 35-32 halftime lead.   

Bowie State fought their way back into the game and reclaimed the lead 51-50 at the 8:10 mark. Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) put the Lions back ahead 54-53 with a three-pointer from the right side with under 7-minutes to play. The Lions next big play came from Chaz Sharp (Baltimore, MD/Xavier University of Louisiana). Sharp made his third three-pointer of the game extending the Lions lead to 61-56 with 3:42.

The Bulldogs remained within striking distance of the Lions but trailed by five after a Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) layup. With 1:11 left in regulation, Bowie State made 5-of-6 attempts from the free-throw line to come from behind and take the lead with 3-seconds left. The Bulldogs Dayshawn Wells was fouled on a three-point attempt and made all three giving the Bulldogs a 66-65 lead. A last second attempt failed for the Lions and Bowie State was victorious, 66-65.  

Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) led the Lions with a double-double scoring 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Chaz Sharp (Baltimore, MD/Xavier University of Louisiana) finished with a team-high 12 points off of the LU bench and Rysheen Dorn (Philadelphia, PA/A.S.A. College) had 11 points. Quaman Burton (Richmond, VA/John Marshall HS) dished out a career-high six assists and Joshua Davis (Saginaw, MI/Louisburg Junior College) had a season-high four steals.

The Lions fall to 11-6, 5-2, 0-1 while the Bulldogs improve to 14-5m 6-1, 1-0 overall record. Lincoln returns home for a CIAA Northern Divisional matchup against Elizabeth City State University on Wednesday, January 21^st at 7:30 p.m. in Manuel Rivero Hall.