The Lincoln University men's basketball team held Virginia State University to just eight field goals in the second half but the Trojans scored the bulk of their points from the free throw line as they pulled away late to defeat the Lions 82-73 at VSU's Multipurpose Center in Ettrick, Virginia Thursday night.

The loss drops the Lions record to 8-18 overall and 4-9 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) games.  The Trojans improve to 18-7 overall and 11-2 in league play.

Zahrion Blue (Princeton, N.J./Princeton) led all scorers with 19 points (9-16 FG) and four assists while Bernard Lightsey (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) chipped in 14.  Keynante Williams (Fredericksburg, Va./Rock Creek Christian Academy) came off the bench to score 11 points (5-8 FG).  Deaquan Williams (Camden, N.J./Camden) led the team with eight rebounds.

Trailing by six at the break, the Lions quickly scored the first four points in the second to close within two 40-38 before VSU went on a 7-2 run to push their lead to seven at 47-40.  The Lions roared right back with ten straight points to take a 50-47 lead at the 12:28 mark.  Lightsey started the run with a three-point field goal and ended it the same way.  In between were layups from Blue and Deaquan  Williams.

Free throws by the Trojans helped regain the lead as the hosts would be in the bonus and shooting the rest of the way before the mid-point of the game.  The Lions came back and tied the game twice more, the last at 59-59 with 7:31 left.  Over the next three minutes the Trojans lead would oscillate between two and four points before producing a 10-2 run with half the points coming off the foul line and taking a 78-68 lead with just 2:14 left.  The Lions would come as close as six points in the final minute but free throws by the Trojans in the final minute helped seal the win.

Neither team dominated the first ten minutes of play with the two teams knotted at 19-19 at the 9:54 mark.  The Trojans then went on a 14-0 run to take their biggest lead at 33-19 before the Lions closed out the half with a 15-7 run over the final 5:21 to trail by six at the end of the half.

Statistically speaking, the Lions shot better (41.5%-38.3%), had four more field goals (27-23), made one less three-point basket (7-8) and committed three fewer turnovers. The Trojans however, outscored the Lions 28-12 on the free throw line with 23 of those coming in the second half.  VSU also outrebounded the Lions 46-31.

The men's basketball team returns to action on Saturday, February 15, 2020 when they visit Virginia Union University.  Tipoff is at 4:00 p.m.