Bernard Lightsey (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) made three free throws in the final 32 seconds as the Lincoln University men's basketball team held off a rally from host Bowie State University to defeat the Bulldogs 72-64 in the regular season finale for both teams.

The Lions improve to 9-19 overall and finish at 5-10 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association games.  The Bulldogs fall to 16-12 overall and 8-7 in league play.  With the win the Lions secured the #4 seed in the upcoming CIAA Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina

Lightsey led all scorers with 24 points (8-16 FG, 3-6 3 FG, 5-6 FT) while Keynante Williams (Fredericksburg, Va./Rock Creek Christian Academy) came off the bench to score 13 (5-9 FG, 2-3 3FG).  Zahrion blue had ten rebounds and just missed a double double with nine points.  Williams also led the team with four assists.

The Lions led this game wire-to-wire as Deaquan Williams (Camden, N.J./Camden) started off the scoring with a traditional thgree-point play.  Lincoln quickly opened up a nine point lead on a layup-and-one from Keynante Williams (Fredericksburg, Va./Rock Creek Christian Academy)  and later used a 12-2 run to increase their lead to 18, 32-14 with 5:55 left in the half.  The Bulldogs responded with a 13-2 run to close out the half and cut the Lions lead to seven, 34-27 at the break.

The Bulldogs scored the first five points of the second half to cut the lead to two 34-32.  Lincoln countered with a 17-6 run fueled by Lightsey and Keynante Williams (Fredericksburg, Va./Rock Creek Christian Academy) who combined to score 15 of the 17 points during the run.  The Lions still led by double digits 57-47 with 6:56 left when the Bulldogs began an 11-4 run to cut the Lions lead to four 62-58 with 2:47 left.  Deonta Dunalp broke up the momentum with a three-point field goal to put the Lions back up by seven 65-58 and the Bulldogs would get not any closer than five as Lightsey came through with the free throws in the final minute to seal the win

Saiquan Jamison led the Bulldogs with 19 points while grabbing ten rebounds.  David Belle added 14 points and Cameron Hayes chipped in ten.  Yohance Fleming had 13 rebounds to lead all players.

The Lions will return to action on Tuesday February 25, 2020 for the first round of the CIAA Tournament against the #5 seed in the South Division, St. Augustine's University.  Tipoff is Tuesday night at 6:40 p.m.