LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa – The Lions won their first home game of the season downing Cheyney University, 56-53, in Manuel Rivero Hall. Joshua Davis (Saginaw, MI/Louisburg Junior College) scored a game-high 16 points and grabbed a career-best ten rebounds leading the Lions to a win in this rivalry.
Junior guard Malachi Seney (Philadephia, PA/Harfprd Community College) led the Lions at the half with six points knocking down a pair of free throws. Lincoln hit the boards out rebounding the Wolves 26-16 led by junior forward Vernon Young (Chicago, IL/University of St. Mary) seven rebounds. Both teams struggled from the field making eight shots apiece and Cheyney held a 26-24 lead at intermission.
The second period was tight between the two team that featured three lead changes and four tied scores. The Lions went to the free throw line and made 20-of-25 attempts in the second half alone. Lincoln's defense forced 14 turnovers that led to 15 points for their offense. Cheyney raised their shooting percentage from 36% in the first half to 55% in the second. The Wolves made 11-of-20 attempts from the field.
Lincoln held a 50-40 lead with 8:26 left in regulation. Cheyney began to make a late run by playing solid defense and holding the Lions scoreless for the next four minutes until Quaman Burton (Richmond, VA/John Marshall HS) made a free throw at the four minute mark. The Wolves tied the game at 51-51 with 3:24 setting up an exciting finish between the two rivals.
The Lions found Vernon Young (Chicago, IL/University of St. Mary) inside the paint and he scored while drawing a foul setting up a three point play for LU. Young made the free throw and gave Lincoln a 54-51 lead with 23 seconds left to play. The Wolves next attempt from the field failed as Charles Cooley (Brentwood, MD/University of Charleston) grabbed the rebounds. Cooley was fouled by Cheyney and he made both of his free throws (56-51) with nine seconds left. Cheyney made a last second jumper but time ran out as Lincoln escaped with a close 56-53 victory at home.
This was the Lions first home win of the season as they improve to 2-4 overall while Cheyney drops to 1-5 overall. Lincoln posted a season-high 25 made free throws out of 35 attempts. Charles Cooley (Brentwood, MD/University of Charleston) finished with a career-best nine made free throws out of ten attempts while Joshua Davis (Saginaw, MI/Louisburg Junior College) went 8-of-10.
Joshua Davis (Saginaw, MI/Louisburg Junior College) grabbed a career-high ten rebounds and scored a game-high 16 points. Charles Cooley (Brentwood, MD/University of Charleston) had 11 points and four rebounds while Vernon Young (Chicago, IL/University of St. Mary) added eight points with nine rebounds.
Lincoln will open CIAA play in their next game at Johnson C. Smith University on Tuesday, December 15th at 7:30 p.m. in Charlotte, N.C.
