Lincoln University, Pa. The Lincoln University men's basketball team opens conference play and starts a four game homestand Thursday night with a game against Johnson C. Smith University.
The Series:
Thursday's game will be the 15th meeting between Lincoln and Johnson C. Smith since 2007 as the Lions began their transition back into NCAA Division II and the CIAA. Old records show that these two teams have actually played each other as early as 1938. Since 2007 however, the Golden Bulls lead the series 10-4. Lincoln won the last meeting beating the Golden Bulls on their home court in Charlotte last season 96-89. The Lions last home win was on Feb. 2, 2014 when Lincoln triumphed 95-88.
About the Lions:
Lincoln University enters Thursday's game with a 5-4 record after a big 107-69 win over Central State University
Cameron Campbell (Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian) currently leads the Lions averaging 13.1 points per game. He also leads the team shooting 43.9% from three point range.
Deaquan Williams (Camden, N.J./Camden) is averaging 12.7 points per game and a team high 8.9 rebounds per game. He is tied for the team lead with nine blocks and three double doubles.
Zahrion Blue (Princeton, N.J./Princeton) has recorded three-double-doubles on the season and is averaging 11.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He also leads the team with 26 assists and 16 steals. Bernard
Lightsey is averaging 10.1 points per game and rounds out the Lions double figure scorers.
Maurice Waters (Philadelphia, Pa./Constitution (Univ. District of Columbia)) leads the team shooting 55.6% (25-45) from the field.
Jordan Camper (Chester, Pa./Chester) is tied with Williams for the team lead with nine blocks. He laso leads the team shooting 81.3% from the free throw line (26-32).
Last Time Out
Cameron Campbell (Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian) led five players in double figure scoring with a season-high 25 points as the Lincoln University men's basketball team cruised to a 107-69 win over Central State University Wednesday night at Manuel Rivero Hall.
The game marked the first time a Lions team has posted 100 or more points since scoring 106 on February 7, 2008 in an overtime loss to St. Paul's College.(108-106).
Campbell was a perfect 5-for-5 from three point range and made eight of 12 shots from the field en route to his season-high 25 points. his 25 points were three shy of his career best of 28 set last year at Chowan.
Jordan Camper (Chester, Pa./Chester) finished one point shy of his career high with 15 points on the night (4-8 FG, 7-8 FT). Camper also grabbed six rebounds and had two blocks.
Zahrion Blue (Princeton, N.J./Princeton) filled the stat sheet with 13 points (6-9 FG), seven rebounds and four assists.
Rounding out the Lions' double figure scorers were
Gevon Arrington (Petersburg, Va./Petersburg (Richard Bland)) and
Deaquan Williams (Camden, N.J./Camden). Arrington scored 12 points while Williams added ten to go along with his game-high eight rebounds.
Tamir Green (Philadelphia, Pa./Constitution) led all players with eight assists on the night.
Rookie of the Week Honors
Freshman Bernard Lightsey was named the CIAA Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week for his performance during Lincoln's two games during the week ending November 25, a win over nationally ranked Kutztown and a loss to Seton Hill. Lightsey scored a career-high 25 points in the win over Kutztown and added 21 against Seton Hill to finish the week averaging 23.0 points per game.
Seeing Double
Williams and Blue have each recorded multiple double-doubles on the season. Blue notched his third of the season on November 27th against USciences with 12 points and 11 rebounds. He also had 16 points and 10 rebounds vs. Kutztown and a 14-point, 12-rebound effort at Shippensburg. Williams notched his third double-double last Saturday against holy Family, scoring 18 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. He also had 15 points and 17 rebounds at Millersville and turned in a 26-point, 10-rebuond effort against Seton Hill. The pair have the most double-doubles amongst all CIAA players.
Home Opener Win
Campbell's three point shot at the buzzer was the difference in the double overtime win over nationally ranked Kutztown. Campbell was one of five Lions to reach double figure scoring in the game. Bernard Lightsey, in his first collegiate start, knocked down ten field goals (three three's) en route to a career-high 25 points. Campbell added 19 while Zahrion Blue recorded another double-double with 16 points and ten boards. Maurice Waters (Philadelphia, Pa./Constitution (Univ. District of Columbia)) (13 points) and Jordan Camper (Chester, Pa./Chester) (11 points) rounded out the double figure scorers for Lincoln.
The Lions rallied from 12 points down with 2:48 left in regulation to tie the game and send it to overtime. The two teams remained tied after one overtime and in the second extra stanza appeared ready to go to a third after KU tied the game with 4.3 seconds left at 91-91. Campbell put that all to rest, sinking a long three-ball from the right side as the buzzer sounded.
A Division II program best:
Williams recorded a double-double in the Lions loss to Millersville with 15 points and 17 rebounds. His 17 rebounds are the most by a Lincoln player in the school's NCAA Division II era (2010- present). The most rebounds a single game throughout the history of the program was 31 set by George Turner in 1965 against Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (now known as USciences)
Scouting the Golden Bulls
The Golden Bulls are currently 2-4 on the season after losing to Anderson (S.C.) 79-65. JCSU begins conference play with their game against Lincoln Thursday night.
Roddric Ross leads the Golden Bulls offense, averaging 14.8 points per game while Cayse Minor is contributing 14.2 points per game. Nenad Milenkovic rounds out the JCSU double figure scorers, averaging 10.2 points per game.
Milenkovic leads the team, shooting 52.4% from the field which includes and 11-22 (50%) effort from three-point range. Minor leads the team shooting 79.3% from the free throw line and Ross leads the team in rebounding, pulling down 5.7 rebounds per game.
Ervin Bennett leads the Golden Bulls with 13 assists while Aaron Adair is tops on the team with nine steals. Antonio Harper has five blocks.
As a team, the Golden Bulls are averaging 75.7 points per game while giving up 80.8 points per game. JCSU is shooting 45.4% from the field, 36.6% from three point range and 70.8% from the free throw line through their first six games.
Golden Bulls' Last Game
After overcoming solid Trojan free-throw and 3-point shooting and a 7-0 Trojan run to begin the game, The Golden Bulls fell short against Anderson (S.C) 65-79.
Cayse Minor lead all scorers with 18 points. In a balanced effort, starters
Nenad Milenkovic and
Roddric Ross posted 10 points each, while the Golden Bull reserves contributed a combined effort of 19 points.
JCSU drops to 2-4 on the season.
