A fast start slowly fizzled into a disappointing loss as an extended scoring drought midway through the game was the ultimate undoing for the Lincoln University men's basketball team in the 78-74 non-conference loss to Shepherd Saturday in Manuel Rivero Gymnasium.


 

Once senior Bernard Lightsey (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) nailed a jumper with 2:56 remaining in the first half, the Lincoln lead was 14 points. However, by the time the Lions hit the scoreboard again – Lincoln trailed by six following a lay-up from junior Zahrion Blue (Princeton, N.J./Princeton) with 12:57 remaining in the second half. It was the third consecutive game that the Orange & Blue have struggled to close out the first half.
 

Despite the scoring drought, Lincoln still had its chances to pull out the victory.
 

The Lions trailed by just five with three minutes remaining, leading to a Shepherd timeout. The Rams responded with back-to-back buckets to stem the tide, and eventually open up a 10-point lead with less than a minute remaining.
 

Even still, LU was at the foul line with five seconds remaining to make it a one-possession game. The free throw was missed and time ran out on the comeback attempt.
 

Lightsey had it going early, scoring eight of Lincoln's first 12 points as the Lions roared out to the 12-4 run. The other two buckets were dunks, one by senior Jordan Camper (Chester, Pa./Chester) and the other by junior Alex Nunnally (Washington, D.C./Cesar Chavez Parkside). The lead would grow to 14 points following a three-pointer by Blue.
 

The Rams slowly pulled to within four, but the Lions responded by scoring 11 of the next 12 points to get it back to 14 before the aforementioned scoring drought.
 

Blue finished the game with 21 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, while Nunnally recorded his first double-double of the season with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
 

Junior Korey Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y./LaSalle Academy) added 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Lightsey added 16 points.