Lincoln Lady Lions Fall in Overtime in ECAC Championship Game to Bluefield State

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania -- The Lady Lions had a pair score in double figures in a 72-70 overtime loss in the ECAC Women's Basketball Championship against Bluefield State College on Sunday, March 15^th in Manuel Rivero Hall. Senior Zephrah Pam(Syracuse, NY/Monroe CC) scored 22 points while junior Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) had 18 points for the Lady Lions.

Bluefield State controlled the momentum of the first half by shooting 52 percent (13-25) from the field and shooting 77 percent (7-of-9) from the free-throw line. The Lady Lions struggled to stop the Blues in transition allowing eight fast break points. Zephrah Pam (Syracuse, NY/Monroe CC) scored a team-high ten points in the first half on 4-of-8 made shots from the field. At the half the Lady Lions trailed 34-25.

The Blues opened up a ten point lead (49-39) with 8:59 left to play in the second half. De'jah Taylor (Nanuet, NY/Paramus Catholic Regional) scored five consecutive points for LU cutting into the deficit. Bluefield State held on to a slim advantage in the final minutes before Lincoln went on a 7-2 run to tie the game at 57-57 with 2:14 remaining. Free-throws made byZephrah Pam (Syracuse, NY/Monroe CC) and Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) got things rolling down the stretch.

Smith nailed two shots from long range in the second half and her last three-pointer gave the Lady Lions a 60-57 lead with 1:18 left. The Blues answered with a pair of free-throws and trailed by one with just under a minute to play. The Lady Lions turned the ball over and Bluefield State tied the game with 31-seconds on a made free-throw. Bluefield State made 9-of-13 free-throws in the second half but struggles from the field on 30 percent (8-for-26) shooting.

With 25 seconds left the Lady Lions committed their second straight turnover on offense giving the Blues a final attempt. Bluefield State missed their final shot at the rim and the game was sent into overtime tied at 60-60.

Both teams hit three-pointers on their first possession in overtime showing no signs of fatigue. Zephrah Pam (Syracuse, NY/Monroe CC) continued her dominance in the post with four points in overtime. Bluefield State's second made shot from downtown gave them a 70-69 lead with 1:43 left in overtime. Courtney Lucas (Washington, DC/Friendship Collegiate Academy) tied the game at 70-70 for the Lady Lions on a made free-throw at 1:02 mark. In the final minute of action Bluefield State made 2-of-4 attempts from the charity stripe pulling ahead 72-70. The Lady Lions final attempt at the basket came with 13-seconds but were unsuccessful as the Blues went on to win the 2015 ECAC Women's Basketball Championship 72-70 in overtime against Lincoln.

Bluefield State's Charity Harris was named the MVP after leading her squad with 12 points, three assists, and two rebounds. Shakima Wiggins had a team-high 21 points for the Blues.   

Zephrah Pam (Syracuse, NY/Monroe CC) scored a game-high 22 points and had eight rebounds off of the Lady Lions bench. Courtney Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Nicolet HS) finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Smith was 3-for-8 from behind the arc and made 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. De'jah Taylor (Nanuet, NY/Paramus Catholic Regional) recorded a career-high 12 rebounds and had eight points.

The Lady Lions conclude their historical season at 22-9.
 
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COURTESY THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION