- Posted in All University
- Category: AthleticsCampus News
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA – An impassioned halftime plea from Lincoln University alum, and women's basketball assistant coach, Cherelle Dennis found its mark and the Lions responded accordingly as the second half began in Richmond, VA.
The Lions dominated the third quarter, holding Virginia Union to just six points, en route to the resounding 69-51 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association victory.
Lincoln limited the Panthers to just 13.3 percent (2-of-15) shooting from the floor in the game-deciding quarter. While the defensive pressure was making things extremely uncomfortable for Virginia Union, the Lions tallied 25 points in the 10-minute period. With a 20-2 run to open the third quarter, LU bought itself some breathing room.
"I was pleased with the turnaround," said Lincoln University women's basketball coach Janice Washington. "We went back to our traps in the half-court, but the biggest adjustment was our improved second-half rebounding."
Virginia Union hit the glass with a ferociousness in the first half that enabled them to stay in the game. The Panthers tallied all 10 of their second-chance points over the first 20 minutes as they outrebounded Lincoln 25-14 in the first half. The Lions turned the tables with a 20-14 advantage and tallied all six of their second-chance points in the second half.
LU built its lead to as much as 26 in the fourth quarter before securing an 18-point victory.
Scoring seven of the game's first nine points, Lincoln got off to a fast start it needed on the road. Virginia Union quickly climbed to within one, but fifth-year senior Bryanna Brown (New York, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin) tallied four of the final six points to push the lead back to seven.
Once sophomore Janya Lilly (Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Poly Tech) opened the scoring in the second quarter, the Panthers ensured the Lincoln couldn't simply run and hide early. After Virginia Union pulled to within one with six minutes remaining, while the Lions didn't surrender the lead, its advantage was no more than four – and then just two at the half.
Brown finished with a team-high 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting with four rebounds and three assists. Lilly pitched in with a career-high 14 points off the bench, while senior Shantel Cheeks (Washington D.C./Rock Creek Christian Academy (Harcum College)) added 10 points for the Lions.
Senior Kryshell Gordy (Chester, Pa./Ursuline Academy (Del.)) tied a career-high with 11 rebounds, nine of which came on the defensive end. Freshman Jaleesa Lanier (Easton, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) led the team with five assists to go along with seven points.
Lincoln (13-4 overall, 6-1 CIAA) returns home 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, hosting Shaw in conference action.
