Seniors Lift LU Lions to Victory Over Elizabeth City State, 64-58

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA – On Senior Night, George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) and Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) led the Lions to a 64-58 come-from-behind win against the Vikings of Elizabeth City State on Wednesday, February 12^th in Manuel Rivero Hall. Jackson has 12 second half points while Washington added 10 points to rally the Lions from a 17-point first half deficit.

A slow start by the Lions gave the Vikings the momentum early in their final regular season battle of the season. ECSU hit four three-pointers in the first half and jumped out to huge lead while the Lincoln offense struggled.

The Vikings led 27-10 at the 8:06 mark in the first half. Junior Kyle Aiken (Randolph, NJ/Randolph HS) and sophomore James Stewart (Washington, DC/Charles Herbert Flowers HS) each hit field goals from behind the arc in the span of two minutes sparking a Lions rally. Trailing 31-18 with 3:55 left in the half, the Jackson brothers combined for nine points of an 11-2 Lincoln run. ECSU lead shrunk to 31-27 after a jumper by senior Justin Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) and then a three-pointer by his brother senior George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) as the Lions clawed back. The Vikings hit a shot at the halftime buzzer and led 33-27.

Lincoln used a 7-0 run in the first two minutes of the second half to take their first lead of the contest. Senior forward Stefan Whittingham (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Fort Lauderdale HS) scored five straight points giving Lincoln their first lead of the game (34-33) at the 17:55 mark of the second half. The Lions offense finally showed up as George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) hit back-to-back three-pointers at the 12:25 mark extending the Lincoln advantage to 43-37.

The Vikings fought back a few minutes later and found themselves trailing 45-43 with 8:34 left in regulation, but a three-pointer by Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) ended their hopes. Washington led the LU bench with 10 points and hit his second three-pointer of the half with four minutes left to give Lincoln a 58-52 advantage.

The Lions made their free-throws down the stretch and played aggressive defense in the final minutes to win 64-58. Lincoln avenges their overtime 64-63 loss to the Vikings on January 23^rd.

Five seniors played their final game inside of Manuel Rivero Hall on Wednesday, February 12, 2014. George Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) scored 12 of his game-high 17 points in the second half against the Vikings. He made three shots from long range, shot a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, and dished out four assists.

Derrick Washington (Washington, DC/Coolidge SHS) also had four assists and was the other Lion to reach double-figures with 12 points. Washington was 4-for-5 from the field including two made three-pointers. Stefan Whittingham (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Fort Lauderdale HS) added nine points, a game-high three steals, with four rebounds. Justin Jackson (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor HS) had six points with three defensive rebounds and Chris Kinney (Washington, DC/Theodore Roosevelt SHS) matched Jackson's six points and grabbed six rebounds.

Lincoln improves to 16-7 and 8-5 in the CIAA. The Lions travel to Virginia Union University on Saturday, February 15^th at 7:30 p.m. in Richmond, VA.
Box Score

COURTESY THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS