LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. — History, school pride and a Pennsylvania rivalry will take center stage Wednesday, November 11, when the Lincoln University men's and women's basketball teams face Cheyney University in the "Battle of the Firsts." The women are scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men at 7:30 p.m.

The matchup celebrates two institutions whose contributions helped shape higher education. Cheyney, established in 1837, is the nation's first historically Black college or university. Lincoln, chartered in 1854, is the nation's first degree-granting HBCU. Their meeting on the basketball court brings those legacies together through competition and campus pride.

For the Lincoln women, the contest marks the opening of the 2026–27 season under head coach Paul Davis. The Lions will look to establish an early rhythm against the Wolves before traveling to Maryland for the Bowie State Tip-Off Classic, where they are scheduled to face East Stroudsburg on November 13 and Shepherd on November 14.

The Lincoln men, led by head coach Julius Hodge, enter the season with returning standout Julius Olanrewaju (Coalinga, CA), a 2026–27 CIAA Preseason All-Conference selection. Olanrewaju averaged 10.8 points and 4.5 rebounds last season while earning CIAA All-Rookie and All-Tournament honors. The Cheyney matchup follows Lincoln's scheduled November 9 opener against Slippery Rock.

With both Lincoln programs taking on the Wolves, the doubleheader offers students, alumni and supporters an opportunity to rally behind the Lions while celebrating the enduring connection between two pioneering institutions.