WBB Preview: Syracuse University

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa - The Lincoln University women's basketball team will face nationally-ranked Syracuse 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Carrier Dome. 

GAME NOTES | WATCH LISTEN

SERIES HISTORY
This is the first meeting between the two teams. 
BATTLE TESTED
The Lincoln University women's basketball team opens the season with four straight games against Division I opponents. After Wednesday's loss to George Washington, the Lions travel to #23 Syracuse, followed by road games at Saint Joseph's and Delaware State. Lincoln has played Division I teams in each of the last three seasons, all of which were exhibition games.
 
Prior to this season, the last time a DI game counted, LU fell to Norfolk State in the 2016-17 season. 
BIG SPARK
Senior swiss army knife Joy Morton (Yeadon, Pa./Penn Wood) is back after tallying 6.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. However, her impact goes beyond the numbers. Coming off the bench in 19 of the team's 29 games last season, she earned her nickname "Big Spark" for her ability to lift the team's overall play while on the court.
 
She has moved into the starting lineup for her senior season, and led the team with nine points in the loss to the Colonels.
WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?
Senior guard Bryanna Brown (New York, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin) is the top returning scorer for the Lions after scoring 7.4 points per game. She is the top returner in three-point shooting (31), assists (56), and steals (40).
NEW FACES
Lincoln must replace 80 percent of its scoring from a season including, including the top two scoring threats in All-American Kwanza Murray (Summerville, S.C./Summerville (Lackawanna College)) and guard DeAshia Young (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Public Safety Academy (Labette CC)). In order to refrain from a full rebuild, the Lions brought in seven newcomers - six of which have college experience. 
 
LU will suit up for Division I transfers, a pair of Division II transfers, and a high school guard with a couple of state championships to her resume.  
SKY'S THE LIMIT
Senior forward Skydajah Patterson (Bronx, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin) will need to improve from last season for the Lions to reach its full potential. After averaging 13.7 points and 8.9 rebounds as a sophomore at Hostos Community College, Patterson tallied 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists in her first season with Lincoln. 
WHO'S THE POINT?
Four players - Briyanah Richardson (New Brunswick, N.J./Matawan Regional)Jade Young (Philadelphia, Pa./Abington Friends School )Taylor King (Lorton, Va./Hayfield Secondary School), and Jalessa Lanier are vying for minutes at the point guard position. Richardson and Young come from the Division I ranks, Lanier won a pair of state championships in high school, and King has been part of the rotation in the last two seasons. 
 
Richardson started the first game against GW.
 
 

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.