Fayetteville, N.C. – Jan. 12, 2026 — The Lincoln University men's basketball team traveled to Fayetteville, North Carolina, to take on Fayetteville State University in a highly anticipated road matchup that proved to be one of the season's most competitive contests. The Lions battled from start to finish, showing resilience and determination on both ends of the floor, but ultimately came up short in a hard-fought 117–107 loss. With the result, Lincoln moves to 7–11 on the season.

From the opening tip, Lincoln kept pace with Fayetteville State, trading baskets and responding to every surge with poise and effort. The Lions' offense remained aggressive throughout the game, attacking the rim and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Despite the final score, Lincoln never backed down, continuing to compete deep into the second half and demonstrating the fight and character of the program.

Offensively, Bonard "BJ" Johnson Jr. led all scorers for Lincoln, finishing with 25 points while also contributing five rebounds and three assists. Ronald Bridges Jr. (Durham, NC) continued his strong stretch of play, posting 23 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Draven Pilson (Winston-Salem, NC) added another impactful performance, recording 20 points and two rebounds, as the trio served as the driving force behind the Lions' offensive effort.

As a team, Lincoln faced challenges in slowing down Fayetteville State's bench production. The opposing reserves provided a key spark, outscoring the Lions' bench 34–15 and creating momentum swings that proved difficult to overcome. Despite the setback, Lincoln showed flashes of cohesion and toughness that will carry forward as the season progresses.

Up Next
The Lions return home to defend the Den this Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, when they host Bowie State University. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m., as Lincoln looks to build momentum in front of the home crowd.