Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (11/20/2015) – A 13-point second-half lead was not enough to hold back the Lions tonight as The Lincoln University roared back, overcoming Chestnut Hill College in the closing seconds of an 81-80 final in Sorgenti Arena. It was the second home loss in as many games for the Griffins, who received a game-high 23 points from senior guard Luke Dickson (Pitman, N.J.), his third straight game of 20 points or more to start the season.
 
After posting a 44-39 halftime advantage with a high-paced offense that shared the ball for nine assists and a 47.1% (16-of-34) team shooting percentage, Chestnut Hill College (1-2) expanded on their lead with an 8-0 run to open the second half, 52-39 (17:20). But a determined showing by senior guard Charles Cooley (Brentwood, Md.) helped The Lincoln University (1-2) chip away at the deficit, bringing it to single digits on a free throw by senior guard Deonte Moore (Orlando, Fla.) at 14:58, 52-43, and eventually to three points, 56-53, on a jumper by sophomore guard Quaman Burton (Richmond, Va.) at the 12-minute mark (12:00).
 
Chestnut Hill College, delayed the Lion rally with a quartet of free throws from sophomore guard Demetrius Isaac (Philadelphia, Pa.) and freshman guard Liban Awl (Manassas, Va.) widening the margin to seven points, 62-55, with 9:21 left to play. Still, the Lions pressured, finally collapsing the Griffin advantage with a three-point basket from sophomore guard Jordan Watson (Philadelphia, Pa.) just past the six-minute mark (5:50), 68-67. Yet, a responsorial layup from Dickson gave the Griffins the lead right back, 69-68 (5:36), and kept the home team ahead heading to the final minutes.
 
Frequent fouls throughout the contest ensured the game would be won at the free throw line. With a pair of free chances from junior forward Vernon Young (Chicago, Ill.), The Lincoln University knotted the game at 3:22, 76-76. Less than a minute later, an Awl free throw put the Griffins back ahead, 77-76 (2:32), only for the Lions to steal the advantage on a Young layup at 2:26, 78-77. They extended their lead to two points, 79-77, with a Burton free throw at 1:53, but a relentless Griffin squad offered one more fantastic play as sophomore forward Edward McWade (Wildwood, N.J.) darted through a wide-open lane for a and-one layup that brought the Sorgenti faithful to their feat one last time, 80-79 (1:03). With time still on the game clock, however, the Lions drew one more critical foul call, leaving Young to seal the deal with a successful pair from the charity stripe, 81-80.
 
Cooley led three Lions in double figures with 20 points on 6-of-9 (.667) shooting. He hit two from three-point range (2-of-3, .667) and added six free throws (6-of-6, 1.000) while recording eight rebounds and four assists. Off the bench, Young totaled 16 points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Burton finished the evening with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
 
Dickson scored 15 of his 23 points by halftime, shooting 6-of-9 (.667) from the floor and 3-of-5 (.600) from three-point territory in the first half. He finished 9-of-17 (.529), hitting three from long range (3-of-6, .500) and adding two free throws (2-of-2, 1.000) to six rebounds, two assists, and a steal. His backcourt mate, Isaac, finished with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a steal, while McWade totaled 16 points, two rebounds, and an assist. Off the bench, Awl served as the Griffins' fourth player in double figures with 14 points - ten coming at the free throw line (10-of-12, .833) – in addition to a rebound and an assist. Senior captain Noel Hightower (Easton, Pa.) offered a renaissance performance with five points, ten rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and three steals before fouling out in the final minutes.
 
The Chestnut Hill College men's basketball team looks to even their early-season record on the road as they head to Coppin State University for a 7:30 p.m. game on Monday, November 23.