Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Struggling Lincoln topped by Virginia Union
There is no way to sugar-coat it: Lincoln’s 85-64 home men’s basketball loss to Virginia Union on Saturday was one of those ‘we-need-to-regroup’ setbacks for the Lions.
Just three weeks earlier, Lincoln went on the road and nearly upset the Panthers before falling by three. The rematch was undoubtedly a step backwards for the Lions, who have now dropped nine of their last 11 against CIAA foes.
“It’s one of those games where it didn’t feel like the rhythm was there,” said head coach Doug Overton. “I can’t explain it. We just have to go back to the drawing board.”
Overton was so distraught, in the locker room afterwards, he reportedly said “practice on Monday at 6:30,” and stormed out.
“I’m upset, they are upset,” he added later. “There wasn’t much to say after that game.”
Coming off an encouraging road win at Elizabeth City State three days earlier, Lincoln fell behind late in the first half and never really was able to stage a sustained response. Now 2-6 in the CIAA Northern (13-13 overall), the Lions drop in to fifth place in the six-team division with just two outings to go before the league tournament.
It certainly didn’t help that Lincoln’s top two players struggled through a frustrating afternoon of basketball. The Lions turned it over 18 times, which led to 29 VU points. And the Panthers (3-3, 16-10) connected on half of their shots from the floor.
“It was not a good performance,” Overton said. “It’s the first game where I can say we just didn’t have the energy. I never had to say that before, so I don’t know what happened.
“(Virginia Union) beat us to more loose balls, rebounds – they were just more aggressive. I chalk it up to being such a young team.”
With Deaquan Williams coming off a shoulder injury and in foul trouble, and Cameron Campbell on the bench after failing to score in the first half, the Lions didn’t have their top two scorers in the game for a big chunk of the second half. And then when both returned, the Panthers promptly staged an 11-2 run to open a 20-point margin with seven minutes on the clock.
“Cam didn’t have it offensively,” Overton said of Campbell, who scored eight on 1 of 9 shooting. “He just wasn’t himself. He’s been shooting the ball good all season, but I told him you are going to have a game where you are not making shots. You have to get to the line, drive the ball and get some defensive stops.”
It was a tight affair early with eight ties and seven lead changes until the final five minutes of the first half, when the Panthers outscored LU 17-2 to open a 42-29 lead at the break.
“We didn’t get enough stops and (Union) scored 85 points,” Overton complained. “You also can’t turn it over against that team and you have to box them out.”
Josh Page and Williams scored 13 and 12, respectively, for Lincoln and Gevon Arrington had 10 off the bench.
“We just didn’t play hard and didn’t have any heart,” said freshman guard Zahrion Blue. “(Virginia Union) just wanted it more than us. No one should be happy about this. I know I’m not.”