LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – Lincoln (2-1) gave Wilmington (2-1) their first loss of the season in a 96-92 home victory for the Lady Lions on Wednesday, November 18
th in Manuel Rivero Hall. Senior
Mieana Gaines (Lincoln Park, MI/Southfield University Academy) scored a career-high 22 points on 10-of-11 made shots off of the LU bench. Senior
Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) added 21 points while sophomore
Teira Pendleton (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Poly Institute) recorded her first career double-double posting 16 points with ten rebounds.
Mieana Gaines (Lincoln Park, MI/Southfield University Academy) finished with .909 shooting percentage setting a new single-game record for the Lady Lions. The 36 made field goals is the most in a single game for a Lincoln squad dating back to the 2007 season. The 94 points against Wilmington is the second highest point total also dating back to the 2007 season. Lincoln scored 95 points against Johnson C. Smith back on Dec. 2, 2014. The Lady Lions move to 4-2 in the all-time series against Wilmington including victories in the last three meetings.
Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) scored eight points while
Teira Pendleton (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Poly Institute) had six in the opening period pacing the Lady Lions to a 23-15 advantage over the Wildcats. Wilmington was held to 32% shooting from the field by halftime and trailed Lincoln by double digits in the second period.
Lincoln made 15-of-44 shots from the field but hit three shots from long range helping to build their lead.
Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS), senior
Lisa Saunders (Hampton, VA/Hampton HS), and senior
Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) all hit three pointers with Clark shooting 4-for-8 at the free throw line finishing the first half with 13 points. Junior
Monique Cheek (Teaneck, NJ/Harford Community College) led the bench with six points as Lincoln held a 10-8 advantage in bench points. Wilmington gave up 15 offensive rebounds to Lincoln which led to 17 second chance points for LU and a 39-30 lead at the half.
In the third period the Lady Lions extended their lead to 22 (56-34) by the 6:27 mark.
Mieana Gaines (Lincoln Park, MI/Southfield University Academy) carried the load on a perfect 5-for-5 made field goals from the field scoring 12 points in the quarter. Lincoln's defense held Wilmington to 8-of-21 (38%) made shots in the quarter and their offense was effective making 12-of-19 shots (63%). But the undefeated Wildcats battled back heading into the fourth period, setting up an amazing finish.
Wilmington cut the Lincoln lead to single digits with a three pointer at the 6:54 mark in the fourth quarter. The Lady Lions surrendered a three pointer that made the game 76-69. Turnovers by Lincoln gave Wilmington momentum heading down the stretch as the game became tied with 2:09 to play at 85-85.
Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) converted on a pair of free throws while
Mieana Gaines (Lincoln Park, MI/Southfield University Academy) dominated the post with layups in the final minute. Gaines had eight points in the quarter on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting from the field and added on two blocks. Lincoln stretched their lead to five (94-89) with 17-seconds left and Gaines scored her 22
nd point of the night on a fast break as the time expired. Wilmington suffered their first loss of the season, 96-92 to Lincoln.
Mieana Gaines (Lincoln Park, MI/Southfield University Academy) finished with a career-high 22 points on 10-of-11 made shots.
Teira Pendleton (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Poly Institute) recorded her first career double-double with 16 points and ten rebounds. Pendleton's ten rebounds is a career-best.
Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) scored 20 or more points for the second consecutive game finishing with 21 points. Clark grabbed seven rebounds and had two steals.
Jaeda Davis (Milwaukee, WI/Rufus King HS) has a season-best five rebounds and two assists while
Vivevca Nwagbaraocha (Milwaukee, WI/Pius XI HS) notched a career-high six points.
Lincoln improves to 2-1 overall and will host the University of the Sciences in their next game at home on Sunday, November 22
nd at 2 p.m.
