Huge Second Half Scoring Boosts LU Lions over Pace, 64-57

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania  -- The Lions outscored Pace University 40-29 in the second half and defeated the Setters 64-57 in a non-conference matchup on Thursday, January 2^nd. In the final twenty minutes, Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) scored 14 of his 16 points while George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) scored 11 of his game-high 22 points to lead The Lincoln University.

Lincoln got off to a slow start offensively against the Setters of Pace University. The Lions made eight shots from the field (27%) in the opening half but used their defense to stay within striking distance of Pace. Pace shot 40% from the field but was forced into 11 turnovers that turned into 14 points for the Lions. Lincoln's George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) accounted for 11 first half points. Jackson made two three-pointers and was a perfect 3-3 from the free-throw line. Pace broke out to their biggest lead of nine points (20-11) at the 9:09 mark and led at the half 28-24.

Coming out of the break, Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) and George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) both hit back-to-back three-pointers giving the Lions a 32-30 lead. Pace took their final lead of the night with a three-pointer to pull ahead 33-32, but Jackson and Washington hooked up for a fast-break layup on the ensuing possession igniting the Lions offense recaliming the lead.

Lincoln held on to a small lead and leaned upon their veteran backcourt duo down the stetch that combined for 25 points and 9-9 made free-throws in the second half. Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) and George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) lifted their play late in the game to carry the Lions to victory. Washington scored 14 points and dished out three assists while Jackson had 11 points and three assists as the Lions outscored the Setters 40-29.

Defensively, Pace was held to 34% shooting from the field and eight turnovers. Lincoln converted on 12-13 attempts from the free-throw line and made all eight in the final minute of play to defeat Pace 64-57.

George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) led the Lions with 22 points and three assists. He was a perfect 9-9 from the free-throw line and made three shots from behind the arc against Pace. Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) led the bench with 16 points and a team-high four assists and four rebounds. Chris Kinney (Washington, DC/Theodore Roosevelt SHS) had six points and a team-high seven rebounds. Tony Efese (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional HS) has four rebounds, two blocks, and one steal and James Stewart (Washington, DC/Charles Herbert Flowers HS) grabbed five rebounds.

Lincoln improves to 8-2 and Pace drops to 3-8 after their matchup on Thursday night. The Lions will hit the road on Saturday, January 4^th to Winston-Salem, NC to battle the Rams of Winston-Salem State University in their next game.

Box Score

COURTESY THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY LIONS SPORTS INFORMATION