LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. - The 2014-15 Lady Lions are the CIAA Northern Divisional Champions despite their 72-64 loss at home to Virginia State University on Saturday, February 21^st in Manuel Rivero Hall. Junior Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) had a game-high 18 points for Lincoln.

The Lady Lions had a miserable start to their regular season closer against the Lady Trojans shooting a low 23 percent (6-of-26) from the field in the first half. Lincoln fell behind by 20 points midway through the half as Virginia State collected 13 fast break points and outscored the Lady Lions 19-10 in the paint. Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) and De'jah Taylor (Nanuet, NY/Paramus Catholic Regional) each had four points in the opening half pacing the Lady Lions but Virginia State held a 32-16 lead at halftime.

Lincoln stormed back after the halftime break with a 7-0 run to bring the VSU lead to within single digits. Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) hit back-to-back three's in the first two minutes sparking Lincoln's comeback. Smith exploded for 14 second half points on 4-of-6 made three-pointers. De'jah Taylor (Nanuet, NY/Paramus Catholic Regional) added 11 second half points increasing the Lady Lions offensive shooting from 23 percent in the first half to 41 percent in the second half. The Lady Trojans held onto a lead until the final five minutes of regulation.

After Virginia State took a 48-37 lead with 6:53 on the clock, Lincoln went on an 11-3 run to tie the game at 51-51 after De'jah Taylor (Nanuet, NY/Paramus Catholic Regional) made her third three-pointer of the season with 1:26 left to play. VSU made a pair of free-throws on the following possession taking the lead with 1:01 remaining. Lincoln missed on their attempt tie the game giving the Lady Trojans a chance to extend their lead. VSU missed on a shot from down town but grabbed the rebound and scored a layup while being fouled. Their lead grew to 56-51 with 19 seconds left as they closed out the Lady Lions in the season finale.

Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) was 6-of-11 from the field and 4-of-9 from downtown finishing with 18 points. De'jah Taylor (Nanuet, NY/Paramus Catholic Regional) was the other Lady Lion to reach double figures leading the bench with 15 points and tying her career-high with ten rebounds. Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) added nine points and tied her career-high in steals with six. Lincoln honored three seniors at the conclusion of their game; Courtney Lucas (Washington, DC/Friendship Collegiate Academy), Zeprhrah Pam, and Alaysia Washington (Washington, DC /Friendship Collegiate Academy).

Lincoln ends the regular season with a 19-7 overall record and 11-5 CIAA record and are in first place in the CIAA Northern Division heading into the CIAA Basketball Tournament next week. The Lady Lions are the 2014-15 CIAA Northern Division Champions.