Aiken's Huge Second Half Leads LU Lions to Victory Over VUU

Kyle Aiken
(Courtesy The Lincoln University Athletics)

RICHMOND, Virginia – Three Lions reached double figures in a 65-47 road victory over Virginia Union University on Saturday, February 15^th. Kyle Aiken (Randolph, NJ/Randolph HS) paced the Lions with 15 points in the second half as Lincoln outscored the Panthers 40-25.

Lincoln's offense dished out 10 assists on 11 made shots from the field early in their battle against Virginia Union. Senior guards Justin and George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) along with Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) all had two assists a piece. Freshman forward Timothy McKenzie (Central Islip, NY/Central Islip HS) scored eight first half points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting from the field. He also had five rebounds as the Lions held a 17-12 rebounding advantage over the Panthers. Defensively, Lincoln held VUU to nine made field goals and forced eight turnovers. At the half, the Lions led 25-22.

The Lions' bench caught fire in the second half exploding for 26 points. Junior guard Kyle Aiken (Randolph, NJ/Randolph HS) went 4-for-7 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line for 15 points. Aiken also had two steals and one of the Lions' two made shots from long range. Down the stretch, Lincoln made 16-of-18 free-throws while the Panthers struggled at home going 13-for-20. Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) made 6-of-8 attempts and Timothy McKenzie (Central Islip, NY/Central Islip HS) made all four of his shots from the line.

Kyle Aiken (Randolph, NJ/Randolph HS)'s layup with 6:26 left in the contest gave Lincoln their first double-digit lead 52-41. He later sank a pair of free-throws to extend the lead to 62-43 with just under two minutes remaining in regulation. Lincoln sealed the victory with a junior guard Demetrius Johnson (Baltimore, MD/Milford Mill HS) three-pointer with five seconds left and won 65-47.

Timothy McKenzie (Central Islip, NY/Central Islip HS) recorded his third double-double of the season with 16 points and ten rebounds. McKenzie grabbed seven offensive rebounds and went 6-for-8 from the field. Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) and Kyle Aiken (Randolph, NJ/Randolph HS) combined for 26 of the Lions 35 bench points. Aiken had 15 points, six rebounds, and three steals while Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) had 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Justin Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) finished with seven points and three steals and George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) had five points with three rebounds, and three assists.

Lincoln improves to 17-7 overall record and 9-5 CIAA record after their victory. The Lions travel to Murfreesboro, NC on Wednesday, February 19^th to tangle with the Hawks of Chowan University in their second to last regular season game.

Box Score

COURTESY THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS