Lincoln University Athletics

The Lincoln University women's basketball team rebounded from their tough three point loss Friday night to defeat Slippery Rock University 78-72 Saturday afternoon in their final game at the CIAA-PSAC Challenge hosted by Virginia State University.
 
The Lions improve to 1-1 while Slippery Rock falls to 0-2.
 
Teira Pendleton (Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Polytech) led the Lions with 17 points and four steals.  Shecquan Bailey (Denton, Md./Snow Hill (Baltimore City C.C.)) added 16 points.  DeeDee Irwin (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville Area) came off the bench to score nine points (all on three-point field goals) while Brianna Logan (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley (Siena)) added eight points and a game-high seven assists.  Michelle Fitzgerald (Baltimore, Md./Md. Academy of Tech & Health Science (N.C. A & T)) grabbed ten rebounds to lead all players.
 
Brooke Hinderliter and Ciara Patterson led the Rock with 18 and 15 points respectively.
 
A 12-3 run in the second quarter turned a one point deficit into an eight-point lead for the Lions at 35-27 with just under four minutes to go in the period.  Bailey started the run with a three-pointer followed by three baskets from Pendleton.  McKenzie Spencer (Richmond, Va./Henrico)'s 3-ball capped the run.  The Rock closed within five by halftime at 39-34.
 
Slippery Rock came out strong to start the second half, retaking the lead with a 10-4 run over the first three minutes of the quarter and increased their lead to three on a Patterson three-pointer 47-44 at the 5:45 mark.  Lincoln, however closed out the quarter on a tear, making four of their final six shots from the field, including a pair of Irwin three-pointers to end the period with a 12-3 flourish and a 56-50 lead.
 
Eight straight points from the Rock to start the fourth quarter put the Lions behind again 58-56 before Lincoln countered with six straight points to retake the lead.  Slippery Rock battled back to tie the game twice as the period wore on, the last at 64-64 with just 2:37 remaining.  The Lions took over the game  in the following  two minutes scoring eight straight points to lead by eight, 72-64 with just 39 second left.  SRU made one last push, closing the gap to two at 74-72 with six seconds left, taking advantage of some poor free throw shooting by Lincoln.  The Lions did get on track at the charity stripe making four straight free throws in the final five seconds to seal the win.  
 
Slippery Rock shot slightly better on the afternoon making 23 of 56 shots (41.1%) to LU's 21-54 (38.9%).  The Lions held an 11 point advantage at the free throw line, making 27of 41 (65.9%) while the Rock converted 69.6% (16-23) of their free throws.  Lincoln held a 34-31 advantage on the boards and turned in a positive assist/turnover ratio (18/15).  The Lions also recorded 11 steals.
 
Lincoln returns to action with an exhibition game against Division I Morgan State on Wednesday, November 15, 2017.  Tipoff is at 6:00 pm.