Men's Basketball | 11/12/2015 3:56:00 PM

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – Lincoln men's basketball opens its regular season at Fairmont State University on Friday, Nov. 13^th in the Joe Retton Classic. This marks the sixth season in which the Lions' basketball program will compete in the CIAA conference. Lincoln plays Fairmont State at 8:30 p.m. on Friday and then on Saturday they play West Virginia Wesleyan at 5 p.m. in the Joe Retton Classic.
 
Lincoln plays their first four games of the season on the road. After the Joe Retton Classic against MEC opponents Fairmont State and West Virginia Wesleyan the Lions battle two from the CACC in Chestnut Hill on Nov. 20^th and University of Sciences on Nov. 24^th.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Game Notes: HERE
Venue: Joe Retton Arena
Tipoff Time: 8:30 p.m.
Video: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/fairmont/portal.htm?eventId=227956&streamType=video
Live Stats: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/fairmont/stats.htm?eventId=227956&streamType=stats
 
FRIDAY'S OPPONENT
Lincoln lost at home against Fairmont State, 86-78, on Nov. 29 in the previous meeting between the schools last season. Quaman Burton (Richmond, VA/John Marshall HS) had nine points with a game-high eight rebounds in that game. The Falcons are coming off a 22-11 season and their second NCAA Tournament appearance in the last three seasons. This season, the Falcons will return six players that have been in the program for at least three seasons and will be led by second team All-MEC shooting guard Jamel Morris who is returning for his senior season.
 
PRESEASON PROJECTIONS
Lincoln University's men's basketball team was predicted to finish fifth overall and third in the CIAA Northern Division, announced on Thursday, October 1^st at the annual CIAA Basketball Media Day.
 
WHO'S BACK
Lincoln returns three of four primary players from last year's team, including starting guard Jordan Watson (Philadelphia, PA/Springside Chestnut Hill Academy). Three contributors from Lincoln's bench are also back in 2015-16 - sophomore guard Quaman Burton (Richmond, VA/John Marshall HS), junior forward Joshua Davis (Saginaw, MI/Louisburg Junior College), and senior guard Kelly Marsh (Smithfield, NC/Pitt Community College). The Lions posted a 16-11 overall record last season, including a 10-6 record in CIAA play.
 
JORDAN WATSON: As a freshman, he started in 19 out of 26 games last season after averaging 6.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 0.3 steals per game. Jordan recorded a season-high 22 points at Fayetteville State on 9-of-16 shots from the field and nailing 3-of-8 shots from three-point range. He ranked third on the team in made three-pointers with 25.
QUAMAN BURTON: Finished second on the team in assists (50) and free throws made (85). Burton scored a season0high 18 points twice; at West Chester and against Livingstone. Against Livingstone he made a perfect 10of-10 free throws and was named CIAA Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week after that performance.
JOSHUA DAVIS: Joshua Davis (Saginaw, MI/Louisburg Junior College) led the Lions in steals (28), had 14 double-digit scoring performances, and led LU in scoring four times. Davis scored a season-high 19 points at ST. Augustine's and grabbed a season-best nine rebounds at West Chester.
KELLY MARSH: Kelly Marsh (Smithfield, NC/Pitt Community College) led the Lions in three point field goal percentage (60.0) last season. He made six total from down town including a season-high 4-of-5 at Elizabeth City State.
 
2014-15 IN REVIEW
The 2014-15 Lions basketball team entered the CIAA Basketball Tournament seeded third in the CIAA Northern Division after compiling a 10-6 CIAA conference record through the regular season. Lincoln went 4-0 during the month of December and Coach John Hill was recognized with a CIAA Coach of the Week Award. The Lions led the CIAA in free-throws made per game (19.7), free-throws attempted per game (29.3), while ranking second in blocks per game (4.6).
 
TEN NEWCOMERS SUITS UP FOR THE LIONS IN 2015-16
Lincoln has ten newcomers on this year's roster. Senior guards Deonte Moore (Orlando, FL/Virginia Union University) and Charles Cooley (Brentwood, MD/University of Charleston) will provide veteran experience for the Lions while junior Malachi Seney (Philadephia, PA/Harfprd Community College) also adds depth to the LU backcourt. Juniors Chris Burney (Philadephia, PA/Cheyney University) and Vernon Young (Chicago, IL/University of St. Mary) will anchor the front line along with sharp shooter sophomore forward Tracey Nelson (Waldorf, MD/University of Maryland Eastern Shore). Lincoln will feature three freshman on the 2015-16 season led by guard Blair Davis (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore City College HS) and forward Umar Saaba (Philadephia, PA/Boys Latin HS). Guard Dreyan Bundley (Baltimore, MD/Forest Park Senior HS) will see time on the floor as well.
 
YEAR SIX
John Hill enters his sixth year as the Head Men's Basketball Coach of the Lincoln University Lions. The Lions men's basketball program accumulated a 53-30 overall record in the last three seasons and ranked among the top three teams in the CIAA Northern Division in all three seasons. The 2014-15 Lions finished 16-11 and led the CIAA in free-throws made per game (19.7), free-throws attempted per game (29.3), while ranking second in blocks per game (4.6).