The Lincoln men's basketball team dropped their second consecutive  close contest Sunday evening falling to host Salem University 66-65 in the final game of the Joe Manchin classic in Salem, West Virginia.

The Lions fall to 5-4 with the loss.

Elijah Bush (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore (Essex County CC)) and Sean James (Newark, Del./Christiana (Iona)) led the team with 17 points apiece while Myles Markland (Petersburg, Va./Matoaca (Richard Bland)) and Deaquan Williams (Camden, N.J./Camden) added ten points apiece.  Markland, Williams and Jordan Camper (Chester, Pa./Chester) had seven rebounds apiece.

Unlike Saturday's game when the Lions saw a double digit lead evaporate before bowing to Lynn University, the Lions were playing from behind for much of the second half and trailed by double digits with 4:28 left in the game coming back.

Lincoln used a 13-2 run over a three minute stretch to cut a 12-point deficit to one 64-63 with 1:23 left.   James had the first five points of the run with a three-point field goal and a pair of free throws.  Following an SU bucket, the Lions ran off eight straight points, highlighted by another James 3-ball and a layup from Gevon Arrington (Petersburg, Va./Petersburg (Richard Bland)) to cap off the run.

Salem's Jordan Robinson put the Tigers up 66-63 with 40 seconds left.  The Lions failed to score on their next possession and quickly fouled to conserve time of the clock.  SU's Ferlandis Penny missed both shots giving the Lions a chance to possibly tie the game.  James was fouled with eight seconds left and made the first of two free throws to pull the Lions within two 66-64.  He missed the second and Lincoln was able to secure the rebound as James was fouled again.  Sean again made the first shot and missed the second, with Markland grabbing the rebound.  Markland's shot as time was expiring was off the mark and the Tigers hung on for the one-point win.

The Lions only lead of the second period came at the 9:36 mark when a steal by Cameron Campbell (Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian ) led to a dunk by Bush, capping a 15-3 flourish that saw the Lions take a 46-44 lead.  Salem then responded with an 18-4 uprising to take the 12 point lead late before the Lions final rally.

Salem finished the game shooting 47.4% (27-57) from the field while the Lions shot just 31.5% (23-73).  Lincoln made 13 of 18 free throws (72.2%) while Salem took just seven free throws the entire game, making three (42.9%).  The Lions committed just six turnovers to 17 for their opponent and had a nice 17/6 assist/turnover ratio.    

The men's basketball team returns to action on Thursday, December 14, 2017 as they begin conference play at Johnson C. Smith University.  Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.