LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) scored nine of her team-high 13 points in the second half as Lincoln came from behind to defeat USciences 59-53 in Manuel Rivero Hall on Sunday, November 22nd. Clark finished with a double-double scoring 13 points with ten rebounds.
The Lady Lions rebounded from a poor first quarter in which they were held to 3-of-13 made shots from the field and outrebounded 13-8 by USciences. The Devils led the Lady Lions by as much as nine in the quarter and shot 44% (8-18) from the field. Lincoln continued to struggle and in the second quarter trailed USciences by 16 (27-11) at the 7:23 mark. Freshman Jaeda Davis (Milwaukee, WI/Rufus King HS) gave the Lady Lions instant offense with five quick point off of the bench. Davis hit a three pointer and played defense recording a steal and an assist all in the second quarter. Both teams made six shots from the field but the Devils made three from long range and led 35-24 at halftime.
USciences shot the ball well from the field at 42% (14-33) while Lincoln improved their offense shooting 30% (9-30) after the first half. Sophomore Teira Pendleton (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Poly Institute) had a team-high seven points with five rebounds.
Pendleton kick started the third quarter with a quick jumper cutting the deficit to single digits. USciences answered with a three pointer pushing the lead to 12 (38-26). Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) and the Lady Lions then responded with an 8-0 run behind solid defense. Clark's steal and assist to senior Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) ignited the LU run. Senior Mieana Gaines (Lincoln Park, MI/Southfield University Academy) followed with a basket in the paint, senior Lenne Kimbell scored a fast break layup, and another Gaines bucket saw the Devils lead trim to four (38-34) with 2:36 remaining in the quarter. After USciences' second made three of the quarter to go ahead by nine (43-34), senior Lisa Saunders (Hampton, VA/Hampton HS) and Jaeda Davis (Milwaukee, WI/Rufus King HS) nailed back-to-back three pointers with under a minute left. Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) then converted on a pair from the charity stripe with six seconds left and the Lady Lions trailed 43-42 heading into the fourth quarter.
Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) scored the first points of the fourth quarter and gave Lincoln their first lead since the beginning of the game (44-43) at the 8:38 mark. The Devils reclaimed their lead with just under five minutes to play (47-46) in an attempt to pick up their first win of the season. Veteran Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) carried the Lady Lions to victory with effective plays down the stretch on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting from the field and five defensive rebounds.
Clark scored five of LU's final ten points in the last four minutes of action. She hit two free throws and gave Lincoln a five point cushion (52-47) with a three pointer. Her final free throw with 58 seconds left extended the LU lead to five (55-50) while Lisa Saunders (Hampton, VA/Hampton HS) made a pair with 41 seconds left. Lincoln came back from a 16 point deficit for their third win of the season and second in a row defeating USciences 59-53.
The Lady Lions ties the all-time series with the Devils and avenges their loss at USciences, 67-59 back on Nov. 19, 2013. Lincoln got to the free throw line 22 times compared to only six attempts by USciences. The Lady Lions made 13 from the charity stripe by allowed nine shots from three point range. Lincoln outscored USciences 35-18 in the second half.
Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) recorded a double-double for the second time in her career. Clark finished with 13 points, ten rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Teira Pendleton (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Poly Institute) reached double figure scoring for the third time this season with 13 points and nine rebounds. Jaeda Davis (Milwaukee, WI/Rufus King HS) scored a season-best eight points and had one steal. She made 3-of-6 from the field including two three pointers. Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) tied a career-high with eight rebounds and dished out four assists with two steals.
Lincoln improves to 3-1 overall and USciences remains winless at 0-4. The Lady Lions will hit the road after the Holiday break for a non-conference match up against Millersville on Sunday, November 29th at 2 p.m.
