Box Score Senior's Night was one to remember for the Lady Lions. They defeated Elizabeth City State University in one of the most exciting women's basketball games in recent Manuel Rivero Hall memory.
The seniors who were honored prior to the start of the game included: Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS), Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS), Mieana Gaines (Lincoln Park, MI/Southfield University Academy), LenNee Kimbell (Springdale, MD/Howard Community College) and Lisa Saunders (Hampton, VA/Hampton HS). They each started the game and received a gift prior to tipoff which is tradition. This privilege of starting the game is often symbolic and coaches don't keep them in for too long. This time was different. The seniors got off to a quick start and took an early lead. They as expected were in the right position at the right time to make the correct play. Years of playing together was paying off for the Lions as they held a 17-11 lead after the first period.

The Vikings of Elizabeth City State made adjustments and came back in the second period outscoring the Lions 15-8 setting up a second half with the Vikings in the lead 25-26. As is often the case, the third period was not as productive for either team as coach's adjustments were being implemented. A tale of two games is often a most appropriate description when comparing the two halves of a basketball game. The third period ended with each only scoring eight points and the lead still belong to the Vikings. Once the fourth period began the offense of each team picked up and it was anyone's game. The Vikings held the lead for most of the period until the Lions started to make some shots - none more important than a three pointer hit by freshmen Jaeda Davis (Milwaukee, WI/Rufus King HS) that tied the game with seconds on the clock. On The next play a turnover by the Vikings gave the Lions a chance to win the game with the last shot. A drive by senior Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) led to a Vikings foul and a pair of free throws with .7 on the clock. One free throw and the game would have been over. She missed them both and the Lions and Vikings were in overtime.

Overtime was close but scary for the Lion faithful. The Vikings took a five point lead and looked as though they had the momentum. The Lions fought back with some clutch buckets by junior De'jah Taylor (Nanuet, NY/Paramus Catholic Regional) and senior Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS). Again the game was in the hands of one team in the last seconds. This time it was the Vikings and with less than 3 seconds on the clock the Lions were down by two until Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) drove to the basket and was fouled. This time it was free throws needed to tie the game and take it to double overtime. Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) was clutch and made both free throws. The Vikings called time out to advance the ball and could not get a shot off as the defense of the Lions prevented the game from being one the seniors would like to forget.

The second overtime began and the freshmen Jaeda Smith again showed why she is someone the Lions will enjoy watching over the next three years, scored the first basket with an acrobatic layup.She roared andlet her teammates know she was in it to win it and the energy level increased as the crowd in the Den took notice and responded with applause. The next few minutes saw the lions find the right offensive plays for De'jah Taylor (Nanuet, NY/Paramus Catholic Regional) who made statement baskets inside the paint for her 12 points. She along with Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS)'s 14 and Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS)'s 12 were the only Lions who scored in double figures. As the second overtime drew to an end the Lion's speed kept the Vikings off balance and drew turnovers. They swarmed the Viking's Imani Heggins who led all scorers on the night with 22 in the overtime and didn't allow her to dominate the paint forcing her to pass. This proved to be a formula that took four periods and two overtimes to develop, but it was worth the wait as the Vikings were held to six points to the Lions 13. The final score was 70-63.

The win gives the Lady Lions a season record of 13-8 overall. They are now 8-5 in the CIAA conference but most importantly they are solidly in third place in the northern division with a 5-2 record. The next game for the Lady Lions is Saturday February 13, 2016 against Virginia Union in Richmond Virginia. The game starts at 2:00 pm.