By Federico Ghelli
Tony Efese and Courtney Smith in action during The Lincoln University basketball teams’ season openers on Nov. 14 and 15.
Photo Credit: lulions.com
There were mixed feelings after the first games of the season for the women and men’s basketball teams. The men lost both games, while the women won their season opener.
On Nov. 14, at The Lincoln University the men’s basketball team suffered a 92-72 loss against East Stroudsburg University, as part of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) – Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Challenge.
Joshua Davis was the top scorer for the Lions with 10 points, making four out of five two-point shots.
East Stroudsburg made 51 percent of the shots (20-39) against a low 35 percent (6-17) for the Lions.
Lincoln also made 15 out of 23 attempts from the free-throw line and scored more points inside the paint (19-16). The Lions also had more rebounds, 29-23, than the Warriors.
The following day, on Nov. 15, the Lions fell 66-55 against Millersville University, in the closing game of the CIAA-PSAC Challenge.
Senior Tony Efese led the Lions with 15 points, five rebounds, a block, a steal, and one assist. Kristopher Curry-Davis, junior, scored nine points after starting from the bench.
The Lincoln won the rebounding battle 23-13, and both teams were at 40 percent from the field in the first half.
In the second half Millersville took the lead, leaving Lincoln with a low 26 field goal percentage. Only two back-to-back three-point shots by senior Kyle Aiken allowed The Lions to keep the lead (44-42) with 15 minutes left in the game.
The Lincoln led the game until the last ten minutes. Millersville won the game (66-55).
On the girls’ side, The Lincoln won 84-62 against West Virginia Wesleyan, thanks to a strong second half by the Lady Lions, on Nov. 15.
After closing down the first half (30-23), with a low 18 field goal percentage (7-37), The Lady Lions came back in the second half with a 65 percent (23-35) from the field, outscoring the Bobcats (61-32).
Courtney Smith led the team with 18 points, five assists, and four steals. Zeprhah Pam scored 16 points and had 11 rebounds after starting from the bench.
Smith, Pam, and freshman Teira Pendleton closed the game scoring double figures.
Smith, after closing the first half with zero points, came back in the second half with 18 points, closing as the second top scorer in the game.
Bobcats’ player Adrian Cunningham was the top scorer in the game with 24 points.
The Lady Lions will return in action on Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m. against Chest Hill University, while the men’s team will play the same opponent at 7:30 p.m.
The Lincolnian 