LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – Senior Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) scored a career-high 22 points carrying the Lions to a 74-67 home win against Virginia Union University on Saturday, February 14^th in Manuel Rivero Hall.

The Lions and Panthers battled back and forth in the first half of play. Lincoln's bench played a major role early with 17 key points. Sophomore Joshua Davis (Saginaw, MI/Louisburg Junior College) and freshman Quaman Burton (Richmond, VA/John Marshall HS) both had six first half points to lead the way. Davis grabbed four first half rebounds and Burton was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. The Lions converted on 12-of-14 from the charity stripe and made four three-pointers.

Freshman Jordan Watson (Philadelphia, PA/Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) scored ten first half points that included two made three-pointers. Senior Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) and junior Kelly Marsh (Smithfield, NC/Pitt Community College) also hit shots from long range as the Lions held a 36-34 halftime lead.

Lincoln came out of the second half blazing as Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) scored 11 straight points. Efese powered the Lions to a double digit advantage with 13 minutes left to play. The Panthers responded with a run of their own cutting into the LU lead. Lincoln converted on 13-of-21 free-throws in the half and held off the Panthers late rally for a 74-67 win. Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) and senior Kyle Aiken (Randolph, NJ/Randolph HS) both made four from the charity stripe while Joshua Davis (Saginaw, MI/Louisburg Junior College) and junior Chaz Sharp (Baltimore, MD/Xavier University of Louisiana) each made a pair from the line.

Three Lions finished in double figures led by Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS)'s career-high 22 points. Efese was 8-of-9 from the field and had a team-high eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Joshua Davis (Saginaw, MI/Louisburg Junior College) led the Lions bench with 14 points and eight rebounds while finishing 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. Jordan Watson (Philadelphia, PA/Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) had 13 points and Quaman Burton (Richmond, VA/John Marshall HS) and Chaz Sharp (Baltimore, MD/Xavier University of Louisiana) finished with six points apiece.

With the victory, Lincoln moves to 15-9 overall and 9-5 in the CIAA. Virginia Union drops to 8-16, 4-10 in CIAA play. The Panthers had three score in double figures led by Deonte Murray's 17 points. The Lions will host Chowan University in their next game on Wednesday, February 18^th at 7:30 p.m. in Manuel Rivero Hall.