LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – The Lady Lions came from behind to down Virginia Union University 67-61 at home on Saturday, February 14^th in Manuel Rivero Hall. Junior Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) scored a team-high 20 points with five steals, five rebounds, and four assists.

Junior Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) led the Lady Lions in the first half with 11 points by knocking down 3-of-5 shots from three-point range. Lincoln got off to a slow start shooting 32 percent (11-of-34) in the half and committing 11 turnovers. The Lady Panthers had a better shooting percentage at 38 percent (13-34) and held a 32-21 rebounding advantage. Virginia Union struggled from the free-throw line making only 2-of-12 attempts as LU went 6-of-12.

Lincoln's defense improved midway through the half behind the interior presence of junior Mieana Gaines (Lincoln Park, MI/Southfield University Academy). Gaines had five blocks and grabbed three rebounds. Junior Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) had four first half steals to go along with nine points and LU held a 32-29 halftime lead.

The Lady Lions kept the momentum up in the second half with double digit scoring from freshman Teira Pendleton (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Poly Institute) and Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS). Clark had 11 points on five made shots while Pendleton was 3-of-4 from the field and 4-of-6 from the free-throw line. Virginia Union battled back and took a 44-42 lead at the 13:16 mark in the second half during the Lady Lions cold streak.

The Lady Panthers had a five point lead with five minutes left in the game but failed to score another point until the final minute. Clark and Pendleton scored seven straight points giving LU a 63-59 lead with 2:39 remaining. Lincoln's defense forced Virginia Union into several missed shots and then a pair of made free-throws by senior Zephrah Pam (Syracuse, NY/Monroe CC) sealed the Lady Lions victory 67-61.

Four Lady Lions scored in double figures led by Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS)'s team-high 20 points. Clark had five steals, five rebounds, and four assists in the CIAA Northern Divisional win. Teira Pendleton (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Poly Institute) scored 15 points and finished 7-of-10 from the free-throw line to go along with a season-high four assists. Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) finished with 14 points on four made three-pointers and Zephrah Pam (Syracuse, NY/Monroe CC) led the Lady Lions bench with ten points and nine rebounds.

Lincoln improves their record to 18-6 overall and 10-4 in the CIAA. Virginia Union drops to 7-15 and 3-10 in the CIAA. The Lady Panthers was led by Shahadah Barrett's game-high 22 points and nine rebounds. The Lady Lions will host Chowan University in their next game on Wednesday, February 18^th at 5:30 p.m. in Manuel Rivero Hall.