FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Freshman
Jordan Watson (Philadelphia, PA/Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) scored a career-high 22 points in a road loss to Fayetteville State University on Thursday, January 8
th at Felton J. Capel Arena. Watson scored 12 of his points in the second half.
The Lions held an early advantage after a positive start. Senior
Alonzo Murphy (Pittsburgh, PA/California University (PA))'s dunk was the Lions first points of the game and then
Jordan Watson (Philadelphia, PA/Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) hit a three-pointer and a pair of layups as Lincoln led 11-7. The Broncos responded with a run of their own reclaimed the lead 17-16 by the 11:52 mark in the first half. Lincoln's defense was unable to stop the Fayetteville State blitz and trailed 43-25 at the half.
The Broncos bench outscored the Lions bench 22-5 in the opening half. FSU shot 57% (15-of-26) from the field and made 81% (9of-11) of their free-throws. The Lions were 10-for 29 (34%) from the field and got to the line only three times. Watson paced the Lions with ten first half points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field including two made shots from long range.
Alonzo Murphy (Pittsburgh, PA/California University (PA)) had four points and five rebounds for Lincoln.
Fayetteville maintained a double digit lead over Lincoln until the 7:56 mark in the second half. Sophomore
Joshua Davis (Saginaw, MI/Louisburg Junior College)' slam dunk cut the Broncos advantage (57-48) in favor of the Lions. Over the next couple of minutes, Fayetteville pushed their lead back to double digits controlling the momentum. A final attempt at a late rally fell short despite the Lions trailing 76-70 with 1:09 left to play. FSU converted on six free-throws in the final minute and issued the Lions their first CIAA loss of the season, 82-72. The Lions outscored the Broncos 47-39 in the second half and improved their shooting to 48% (18-of-37). Junior
Chaz Sharp (Baltimore, MD/Xavier University of Louisiana) scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds off of the LU bench along with freshman
Quaman Burton (Richmond, VA/John Marshall HS)'s eight second half points.
Three Lions finished in double figures led by
Jordan Watson (Philadelphia, PA/Springside Chestnut Hill Academy)'s career high 22 points. Watson made 9-of-16 shots from the field and hit three shots from three-point range.
Chaz Sharp (Baltimore, MD/Xavier University of Louisiana) finished with 14 points on 6-of-12 made shots and senior
Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) had 11 points and a game-high six rebounds.
Lincoln drops to 9-5, 3-1 CIAA record. Fayetteville State improves to 7-2, 2-2 CIAA record. The Lions remain on the road for their second out of four consecutive CIAA road games against Saint Augustine's University on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 4 p.m. at Emery Gymnasium in Raleigh, NC.
