Indiana, Pa. - November 14, 2025 - The Lincoln University men's basketball team opened the 2025–26 season on a strong note Friday evening, securing a 75–73 win over Pitt-Johnstown at the PSAC/CIAA Challenge.

The Lions showed composure and toughness throughout the contest, overcoming a tight first half and making key plays late to begin the season 1–0.

BJ Johnson Jr. powered the offense with 25 points, six steals, and four rebounds, while Julius Olanrewaju (Coalinga, CA) delivered a dominant 19-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Draven Pilson (Winston-Salem, NC) added 11 points, including three big triples that helped stabilize the attack.

Lincoln forced 21 turnovers and limited UPJ to just 3-of-14 from beyond the arc, tightening defensively in the second half after trailing 41–39 at the break.

Timely stops and disciplined execution in the final minutes helped the Lions secure the two-point victory and open the new campaign with confidence.

Next Up

Lincoln stays in Indiana, Pa. to face Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, November 15 at 7:30 PM.