- Posted in All University
- Category: AthleticsCampus News
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA - When the Lincoln University women's basketball tipped off for its Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener Thursday against Johnson C. Smith, only two members dressed for the game had ever participated in a CIAA contest.
Those two players – Bryanna Brown (New York, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin) and Joy Morton (Yeadon, Pa./Penn Wood) – proved their mettle, combining for 46 points to guide the Lions to the 85-63 victory over the visiting Golden Bulls at Manuel Rivero Gymnasium.
Brown was particularly deadly, early and often, with a career-high 33 points on 12-of-22 shooting with three rebounds and three steals. Morton came off the bench to score nine of her 13 points in the fourth quarter as Lincoln didn't allow JCSU to creep back into the game.
Junior Jade Young (Philadelphia, Pa./Abington Friends School) pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds to go along with eight points.
Six different players scored as Lincoln seized control early with a 15-2 run to close the first quarter. After a stretch in which the Lions scored nine of 11 points early in the second quarter, it appeared as if Lincoln was ready to cruise to a CIAA win.
But as the Lions let off the throttle, Johnson C. Smith shot itself back into the game. A banked-in three-pointer from the top of the key jumpstarted a 17-4 run that enabled JCSU to pull to within two with 2:13 remaining in the second quarter. The Golden Bulls connected on three of their six three-pointers during the aforementioned spurt.
With a first-half high 15-point lead dwindling to just one at halftime, and Johnson C. Smith hanging around for the opening portions of the third quarter, the Lions decided playtime was over. Lincoln buckled down on the defensive end, found the JCSU shooters, and closed the quarter on a 16-4 run.
Lincoln's lead ballooned to as much as 24 points before settling in for the 22-point win.
There isn't much time to celebrate the first CIAA victory for head coach Janice Washington as the Lions return to the hardwood 2 p.m. Saturday, hosting Winston-Salem State.
