- Posted in All University
- Category: AthleticsCampus News
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA - DeAshia Young, this is for you.
From the moment this team learned of Young's untimely death, the 2021-22 Lincoln University women's basketball team had extra motivation to complete a task that the guard always had on her mind.
The top-seeded Lions brought home the school's first-ever Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship with the 67-52 victory over second-seeded Elizabeth City State University at the Royal Farms Arena.
From the opening tip CIAA Player of the Year Bryanna Brown (New York, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin) was on a mission that ended with 28 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a pair of steals.
While Brown got the ball rolling it was fifth-year senior Joy Morton (Yeadon, Pa./Penn Wood) who sparked the game-changing run. On the heels of Elizabeth City State taking the 22-21 lead with 4:45 remaining in the second quarter, knocked down two three-pointers and scored on a spinning layup during a 13-2 run giving the Lions the 34-24 halftime advantage.
The Vikings opened the third quarter with back-to-back three-pointers to pull to within four just 90 seconds into the period.
Then the Lions' defense regained its teeth, forcing Elizabeth City State in seven straight misses and three turnovers. By the time ECSU found the bottom of the back, the LU lead was back to 10 points. The Vikings were able to trim the deficit to four points heading into the fourth quarter.
But, Brown had an immediate answer with a three-point play, and then when ECSU got to within a single-possession Brown connected on a driving layup that sparked the game-sealing 20-8 run over the final seven minutes.
Morton finished with 12 points, while junior Jade Young (Philadelphia, Pa./Abington Friends School) contributed 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Senior Chantel Cheeks chipped in with nine points and a pair of boards.
Brown was named the CIAA Tournament MVP and was joined by Young on the All-Tournament team.
Lincoln (22-7 overall) clinches the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament, and the Lions will learn its destination 10:30 p.m. Sunday.
