Courtesy of Lincoln University Athletics
There was going to be no leaving their opponent hanging around and gaining confidence this time. With a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association North Division crown on the line, the Lincoln University women’s basketball team dominated Shaw from start to finish in avenging an earlier season loss with the 97-47 pasting of the Bears.
With the Elizabeth City State loss earlier in the day, Lincoln clinched the CIAA’s Northern Division. A victory Saturday and the Lions will be the top seed in the upcoming CIAA Tournament.
Lincoln’s defense was stifling for the first three quarters as the Bears didn’t score double figures in any of the quarters and only had 21 points heading into the fourth quarter. The Lions led by 73-21 after the first 30 minutes of action. With the defensive prowess, the Orange and Blue held its opponent to 27.3 percent shooting from the floor.
While LU was smothering Shaw on the defensive end, Lincoln was brutalizing the Bears on the offensive glass. Lincoln pulled down 24 offensive rebounds which led to 29 second-chance points. The 24 offensive boards were four less than Shaw’s total rebounds.
Once Lincoln settled in early in the opening quarter, the Lions rattled off a 20-3 run to open up an 18-point advantage. Shaw was 0-for-5 with eight turnovers during LU’s spurt. The lead just kept growing larger as Lincoln flexed its collective muscle.
Freshman guard Ciani Montgomery (Philadelphia, Pa./West Catholic Prep) was one of five players to tally at least 10 points, leading the team with 18 points off the bench. Junior Jade Young (Philadelphia, Pa./Abington Friends School) recorded her third double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. It’s her fifth double-figure rebounding performance of the year.
The CIAA’s leading scorer, Bryanna Brown (New York, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin), finished with 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Senior Kryshell Gordy(Chester, Pa./Ursuline Academy (Del.)) finished with 12 points and four boards, while senior Shantel Cheeks (Washington D.C./Rock Creek Christian Academy (Harcum College)) contributed 10 points. Junior Kania Pollock (Queens, N.Y./The Mary Louis Academy) led the team with five assists.
Lincoln (18-7 overall, 11-4 CIAA) caps the regular season 2 p.m. Saturday, hosting Virginia State.
