The Lincoln University women's basketball team struggled offensively in the first half, falling  behind by double digits to nationally ranked Virginia Union University.  The Panthers extended their lead in the second half to defeat the Lions 81-56 at Manuel Rivero Hall Saturday afternoon.
The Lions fall to 14-12 overall and 8-7 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association games.  LU is also 5-3 in North Division games and, which is used for determining the seeding in the upcoming CIAA Tournament.  The Lions are tied with Bowie State University for second place in the division.  Virginia Union remains on top of the division with a 7-1 mark.  The 13^th ranked Panthers are 22-2 overall and 14-2 in CIAA games.
 
DeAshia Young (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Public Safety Academy (Labette CC)) led the Lions with 15 points Kwanza Murray (Summerville, S.C./Summerville (Lackawanna College)) added nine points and led the team with four assists and three steals.  Alisia Machado (Brooklyn, N.Y./Medgar Evars Prep (Grambling)) led the team with ten rebounds.
 
Shareka McNeill exploded for 36 points to lead the Panthers.  Bianca Lockamy added 14 points while Rejoice Spivey had 12 points and seven assists.  Jasmine Carter led VUU with 14 rebounds.
 
The Panthers outscored the Lions 18-8 in the second quarter as Lincoln struggled offensively with just two field goals in the period.  LU trailed 37-18 at halftime.
 
Young scored eight of her 15 points in the third period but the Panthers continued to increase their lead as the period wore on, taking a 64-36 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
VUU pushed the lead to 30 early in the fourth quarter, before a 9-2 run by the Lions cut the gap to 23.  DeeDee Irwin (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) started the run with a three-point field goal with Machado, Murray and Dominique Allen (Upper Marlboro, Md./Takoma Academy) also adding baskets.  This would be as close as Lincoln would get as the Panthers upped the lead back to 31 points in the final minute.  VUU did have three straight turnovers in the last 55 second which led to layup from Taylor King (Lorton, Va./Hayfield Secondary School), a short jumper from Kenzie Spencer (Richmond, Va./Henrico) and a layup by Jamari Tillman (Louisville, Ky./Doss) as time was getting set to expire, making the final margin 25 points, 81-56.
 
The women's basketball team returns to action on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 when they host Chowan University at Manuel Rivero Hall.  Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.