Box Score BOX SCORE

(MILWAUKEE, Wisc.)  Denzel Mooney missed just four shots from the floor (7-of-12) and finished with a game-high 24 points to lead Lincoln University of Pennsylvania to a shocking 74-72 victory over nationally ranked Bowie State University and captured the 2011 Fresh Coast Classic title.

“Lincoln realized what their strengths were and really played to the strengths and we didn't play to our strength's with our size and ability to get the ball inside”, said a very dejected Bowie State head coach Darrell Brooks.  “You have to give Lincoln the credit which is due and we'll live to see another day.”  The loss snaps the Bulldogs streak of three and puts the BSU record at 3-1.

Bowie State led only once in the entire game (7-6) and never managed to clear the hurdles like in the previous two games.

Mooney was unstoppable in the first half with 16 points, including 4-of-4 from the floor, 3-of-3 from behind the 3-point line and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line. 

Lincoln (4-3) quickly raced out to a 6-0 lead to start the game after back-to-back 3-pointers by George Jackson and Mooney.  However, Bowie State kept the game close, tying the contest at 26 after a dunk by senior Travis Hyman with 6:35 remaining in the first half.

The Lions responded with a 12-6 run, capped by a pair of free throws by Kenny Sharpe to give Lincoln a 38-30 advantage with 2:02 left in opening period.  Bowie State answered by closing out the first half with a 6-2 run, but Lincoln took a slim 40-36 lead into the break.

In the second half, Lincoln never relinquished the lead and took its largest lead of the afternoon at 59-50 following a Derrick Washington 3-pointer at the 10:53 mark.

The Bulldogs kept the game close, cutting the margin to two, 63-61, after a three-point play by junior Dameatric Scott, but Bowie State would get no closer.

Seniors Jay Gavin and Hyman along with Scott led Bowie State's scorers with 14 points apiece.  Senior Darren Clark added 13 points and game-high eight assists in the loss.

Lincoln's Justin Jackson scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half and George Jackson along with Washington added 11 points each.

Bowie State will play its first home games of the season Tuesday (December 6th) and Thursday (December 8th), hosting California University of Pennsylvania and Pitt-Johnstown respectively at 7 pm.