- Posted in All University
- Category: AthleticsCampus News
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA - Three players reached double figures as the Lincoln University men's basketball team opened Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association action with the 85-71 win over Johnson C. Smith Thursday at Manuel Rivero Gymnasium.
Junior Zahrion Blue (Princeton, N.J./Princeton) led the team with 30 points, marking the second time this season he has tallied at least 30 points, on 13-of-21 shooting with eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Junior Isaiah Miles (Brandywine, Md./Gwynn Park) scored a career-high 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting with eight rebounds, while freshman Bakir Cleveland (Newark, N.J. /University) navigated foul trouble for most of the game to record 13 points with four assists and three rebounds.
JCSU scored the first two points of the game, and Lincoln answered by scoring 11 of the next 13. For there, the Lions trailed for a total of 22 seconds for the rest of the game.
It came as the Golden Bulls scored eight consecutive points for the 14-13 lead, but Blue drilled a three-pointer to reclaim the lead and added a tip-dunk to get Lincoln going again. The Lions built its lead to 10 points with a shade over four minutes remaining.
However, the early-season bugaboo resurfaced as the last four-minute struggle reared its ugly head.
Johnson C. Smith tallied the final eight points of the half to pull to within two at the break.
Four different players scored as Lincoln started the game by scoring 15 of the first 19 points to provide some breathing room with a 13-point surplus. The lead never got under 10 for the rest of the game.
Lincoln was able to maintain its lead over the final 14 minutes as the Lions didn't have a stretch of more than three empty possessions, and that was only done once.
With the first career CIAA win secured for head coach Corey Lowery, Lincoln won't have much time to enjoy as the Lions return to the hardwood 4 p.m. Saturday – hosting Winston-Salem State.
