Deaquan Williams (Camden, N.J./Camden) notched his sixth double-double of the season, leading three players in double figures as the Lincoln University men's basketball team won their fifth straight game defeating Claflin University 82-74 Wednesday night at Manuel Rivero Hall.
The Lions improve to 9-4 overall and 4-0 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) games. Lincoln's 4-0 start in conference action is their best start to league play since becoming an active member of the CIAA in 2010. Claflin falls to 5-8 overall and 4-4 in league play. The Lions are now just one of four teams in the Division II Atlantic Region to have nine wins on the season heading into the Winter Break.
Williams scored a game high 20 points (8-16 FG) while grabbing a career-high 19 rebounds, breaking his own mark of 17 for the most rebounds by a Lincoln player in their NCAA division II era (2010-present). His 19 rebounds are the most by a CIAA player this season as is his six double-doubles. Both marks are ranked among the top ten in NCAA division II this season.
Cameron Campbell (Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian) and
Jordan Camper (Chester, Pa./Chester) joined Williams in double figures, scoring 17 and 12 points respectively. Camper also added seven rebounds and three blocks on the night.
Tamir Green (Philadelphia, Pa./Constitution) led the team with five assists.
Danny Brown led four Panthers in double figures with 18 points. Austin Lawton added 16 points and 13 rebounds while Triston Thompson and Rodney Prichard chipped in 11 and 10 points respectively.
The Panthers jumped out to a 17-9 lead just five minutes into the game. Campbell added a three-ball at the 14:31 mark, starting what would be a 24-5 uprising the saw the Lions take a 33-22 lead with 7:08 left in the first half. Claflin closed the gap to eight by halftime, 44-36, outscoring the Lions 14-11 over the final 6:13 of the period.
Williams opened the second half with a layup to again push the lead to double digits before the Panthers closed the gap to six 51-45 with two free throws at the 16:37 mark. The Lions countered with seven straight points to take their biggest lead of the night at 58=45 before the Panthers again closed the gap to six at 60-54. Lincoln followed with a 10-3 run to push the lead back to 13, 70-57 with 6:14 left. The Panthers would come no closer than six the rest of the way.
For the game, the Lions shot 43.9% from the field, 43.5% from beyond the arc and 66.7% from the free throw line. Claflin shot 40.9% from the field, 29.2% from beyond the arc and 65% from the free throw line. Lincoln held a 47-39 rebounding edge, 20 of those on the offensive glass, leading to a 26-15 advantage in the second chance points category. The Lions also committed one fewer turnover (14-15).
The men's basketball team is now off for the Christmas break and will return to action on December 30, 2018 with a game at Washington Adventist University.
