Second half breakdowns hurt MBB

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA  – The Lincoln University men's basketball team allowed more than 60 points in the second half, and lost its second Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association contest, falling to Virginia Union, 97-90, Saturday in Richmond, VA.

The second half was punctuated as the Panthers attempted as many free throws (25) and they had field goal attempts (25). Additionally, Virginia Union was extremely proficient in both. VUU shot 84 percent (21-of-25) from the free-throw line and 76 percent (19-of-25) from the field.

Lincoln didn't shoot particularly bad in the second half, making 55.2 percent (16-of-29) from the floor, but ultimately, it wasn't enough.

Virginia Union took control of the game with a 13-2 run after Lincoln tied the game at 81. It was still part of the only lead change in the game as Lincoln led for the first 36 minutes of the game. The Panthers took their first lead with a steal and fast-break dunk with four minutes remaining. It continued a run that saw them gradually chip away its eight-point deficit with 11 minutes remaining.

For the second straight game, junior Zahrion Blue (Princeton, N.J./Princeton) dropped more than 20 points in the second half – tallying 21 of his 23 points in the second 20-minutes. He added seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

Four other players reached double figures with junior Korey Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y./LaSalle Academy) finished with 18 points and six assists. After missing more than a month with an injury, the point guard moved back into the starting lineup and reached double figures for the first time since December 7. It marks the seventh time he reached double figures after starting the season with five straight double-digit scoring games.

Senior Jordan Camper (Chester, Pa./Chester) added 15 points and five rebounds, freshman Bakir Cleveland (Newark, N.J. /University) recorded 15 points and freshman Reggie Hudson (Bronx, N.Y./St. Raymond's) contributed 10 points and a team-high seven assists.

Lincoln (12-6 overall, 5-2 CIAA) has dropped two of its last three games and will return home 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, hosting Shaw.

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Lincoln University, the nation’s first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU), educates and empowers students to lead their communities and change the world. Lincoln offers a rigorous liberal arts education to a diverse student body of approximately 2,200 men and women in more than 35 undergraduate and graduate programs.