Lincoln University Lion's Win 78-70 Over Kentucky St

Lincoln University Lion’s Win 78-70 Over Kentucky St

Enve

2024-12-25

SCORE: Lincoln(PA) 78-70 Kentucky St.

Press Conference

HBCU Classic – Lincoln University Lions, Head Coach Julius Hodge discusses how his team breaks a zone.@LUL1onsAthletic / @LUL1onsAthletic / @CIAAForLife pic.twitter.com/UURutdSL2w
— Enveonline (@Enveonline) December 24, 2024

Game Recap

For the second day of the Chris Paul HBCU Classic both Kentucky St and Lincoln (PA) were playing for the championship. Kentucky State was coming off the previous day’s victory over Winston Salem St 86-79. Rebounding from their previous loss to Clark Atlanta. Lincoln PA was also looking to continue their winning streak. Winning their previous game over Benedict College who they defeated 59-47.

Once the game began both teams came out aggressive. With four scoring changes within the first five minutes of the game. Lincoln was still leading 12-8 at the 15-21 mark. From the four point lead that they built they continued their great play by increasing the lead 19-8. Forcing KSU to call a timeout from the 15-2 run. KSU responded, by going on a 9-2 run cutting the lead from eleven to four (21-17).

Lincoln (PA) Sharpe Shooting (Bakir Cleveland)

This would be the closest that KSU would get to threatening to take the lead. As the Lions took over for the rest of the half. Lincoln defense had held Kentucky State scoreless for nine and a half minutes. They did not score until the last minute of the half. The Lions defense also held them to shooting 24% from the field, and 1-9 from the three point line.

This was the most damaging to KSU. As for the Lions they had the opposite outcome for the first half. They were shooting 50% from the field, and they were shooting 7-13 from the three point line. This led to their big lead at halftime and they were outscoring the KSU bench 16-2. With a 45-29 lead it was looking like the Lions were gonna finish them early in the second half.

As play resumed for the second half Kentucky St came out with a fight, and did not go away. as KSU cut the lead from 16-8 (54-46) at the 13:31 mark in the half. The charge was led by Aziel Blackwell who finished and led the team with 21. This charge by KSU would be as close as they would get as Lincoln withstood their run and answered with stepping back up on defense.

Creating seventeen turnovers, and scoring 21 points to keep a firm grip on the lead. As coach Julies Hodges stated “he couldn’t wait to play his zone defense to make him look like a genius.” It wasn’t just the defense that kept them in this lead, it was also the play of Reggie Hudson. Hudson had 22 points, 8 rebounds, and six assists. Followed by fellow teammate Ethan Garita. Who finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds a double double.

This was too much for KSU to overcome as they lost the HBCU championship 78-70. For KSU even though this did not affect their conference record it did affect their overall record as they fell to 6-5. KSU is now fourth in the SIAC conference, behind Spring Hill. As for the champs, Lincoln PA they are now 7-5, and in second place behind Virginia ST in the CIAA north division. This victory was big because both Virginia ST, and the Lions are one win apart from each other. At press time the Lions are not scheduled for another game until January 4th against Shaw, which gives them much needed rest after playing three games in four days, stay tuned!

Top Plays

HBCU Classic – Ethan Garita posted a monster double double over the weekend. With 19 PTS, 11 REBS over Kentucky State@CIAAForLife / @LUL1onsMBB / @LUL1onsAthletic pic.twitter.com/FTWhP0SPgl
— Enveonline (@Enveonline) December 24, 2024