Petersburg, Va. – Jan. 29, 2026 — The Lincoln University men's basketball team traveled to Petersburg, Virginia, for a matchup against Virginia State University in a battle of the true orange and blue. Facing a physical and competitive opponent, the Lions fought throughout the contest but were unable to pull away with the victory, falling 87–70. With the result, Lincoln moves to 9–13 on the season as the team looks to regain momentum heading into February.

The game presented challenges early, as Virginia State established a strong presence inside the paint, forcing Lincoln to adjust defensively. Despite the deficit, the Lions continued to compete, showing resilience and effort on both ends of the floor while searching for the spark needed to swing momentum in their favor.

Offensively, Ronald Bridges Jr. (Durham, NC) led the charge for Lincoln, finishing with a game-high 23 points while adding four rebounds and one assist. Jordan Sanders (Atlanta, GA) provided a strong complementary performance, contributing 17 points, four rebounds, and two steals. Together, the duo anchored the Lions' scoring efforts and kept the team within reach throughout the match up.

As a team, Lincoln struggled to contain Virginia State's interior offense, allowing the Trojans to score double the amount of points in the paint compared to the Lions. That inside advantage proved to be a key factor in the outcome. Despite the loss, Lincoln's bench delivered an impressive showing, accounting for 29 of the team's 70 points and providing energy and production throughout the game.

Up Next
Lincoln returns to action at home this Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, when the Lions host Virginia Union University at Oxford Area High School in Oxford, Pa. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., as Lincoln looks to regain its rhythm and build momentum moving forward.