LINCOLN UNIVERSITY LION TALES

Volume 4, Issue 2 The Official Publication of the Lincoln University Athletics Department MARCH 2007 A WINNING WONDERLAND

It was a memorable winter for Lincoln Univer- sity’s teams. The men’s indoor track team won the 2007 NCAA Division III championship. The women’s basketball team capped a record setting season by winning the Association of Di- vision III Independents postseason champion- ship. The men’s basketball team won 20 games for the third year in a row and advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the Division III tournament for the second consecutive season. Read all about the triumphs inside. PAGE 2 LINCOLN UNIVERSITY VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 Parker provides silver lining for Lincoln women Ashley Parker was the silver lining during a tough weekend for the Lincoln University of Pennsylvania women’s indoor track team at the 2007 NCAA Di- vision III championship meet at Rose-Hulman In- stitute of Technology. Parker, a senior, entered the 55-meter dash LINCOLN UNIVERSITY seeded 13th. She was the seventh-fastest qualifier ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT for the finals. Parker continued to amaze by finish- ing fourth and earning her first individual All- ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF American honor as a member of the Lincoln ● Alfonso Scandrett, Athletics Director women’s track team. Despite Parker’s best efforts, ● Cyrus Jones, Associate Athletics Direc- it was not enough as the Lady Lions finished with tor just nine points. ● James Elliott Lightfoot, Assistant Ath- “She ran a fantastic time to come in fourth,” letics Director for External Affairs venerable track and field coach Cyrus D. Jones ● Linda Peterson, Administrative Assistant said. “She was so energized in getting those girls ● Natasha Wilson, Assistant A.D. of pumped up for the nationals although they were mentally drained for some reason. Compliance/Senior Women’s Administra- Certainly Ashley showed me she was a warrior this weekend.” tor Parker finished the 55-meter dash in a time of 7.19 seconds, her fastest in her ● Brian Fletcher, Interim Trainer two-year career at Lincoln. Parker then added the exclamation point to a wonderful ● Rob Knox, Assistant Athletics Director weekend by running a super second leg of the 4 x 400-meter relay. Parker grabbed for Sports Information Management the baton from Shari Richardson and proceeded to give the Lions the lead in the relay halfway through the race. Unfortunately for the Parker and the Lions, they finished ninth, denying the quartet All-American honors in the race. HEAD COACHES “The (55-meter dash) meant a lot to me,” Parker said. “This year I had a chance ● Chris Cummings, Softball to become an All-American in an individual event, which took a lot of hard work. I ● Andy Haman, Women’s Basketball ran a better race at national’s then I did all year so I am happy about that. Finishing ● Cyrus Jones, Men’s & Women’s Indoor fourth was a major accomplishment for me.” & Outdoor Track & Field, Men’s & Parker relied on her strong persuasion powers to compete in the 55-meter dash Women’s Cross Country this year. Last year, Parker was strictly a 400-meter runner despite having competed ● Tim Lewis, Volleyball in the 55 several times when she attended Delaware State University. Fortunately, ● Domingo Montes, Men’s & Women’s Jones listened and Parker rewarded him with an inspired effort. Parker currently Tennis sports a sterling 3.62 grade point average. LU ● Mass Sarr Jr,. Men’s Soccer For the complete story visit Lincoln’s website at www.lincoln.edu/athletics/index. ● Francine Taylor, Women’s Soccer html. ● Doug Thompson, Baseball ● Antoinette Wallace, Cheerleading ● Garfield Yuille, Men’s Basketball Football takes another step forward A football combine was held on Saturday March 17, 2007 in the Main LION TALES Volume 4, Issue 2 Gym for Lincoln University students who were interested in playing foot- LION TALES is published monthly. LION TALES ball. Approximately 29 young men showed up for the four-hour combine. was written, designed and edited by Rob Knox, Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Information Prospective athletes were timed in the 40-yard dash, bench press and verti- Management. Photo credits to Bill Rudick. cal jumps. Athletes also participated in various agility drills designed to test For more stories, statistics, and photos on our coordination, athletic ability and footwork. student-athletes and athletic programs, please “I feel that the combine was a success being as though we are taking visit: www.lincoln.edu/athletics. baby steps and it was an eye opener for some students who want to become a part of the football program,” Lincoln assistant athletics director Elliott LINCOLN UNIVERSITY VISION STATEMENT Lincoln University is a premier Historically Lightfoot said. “The ones who attended, it gave them a little taste of what Black University that combines the best ele- can be expected in the future. I think we have a ways to go and now we’re ments of a liberal arts and sciences-based trying to get student-athletes understand the commitment it takes to play undergraduate core curriculum and selected college football. There is some talent on this campus.” graduate programs to meet the needs of The next combine will be held on April 15 and that will give student- those living in a highly technological and athletes an opportunity to display their talent on the field. LU global society. VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 LINCOLN UNIVERSITY PAGE 3 Lincoln reaches Division III summit in farewell meet TERRE HAUTE, IND. — The Lincoln sophomore Jermaine Morris (Vineland, University of Pennsylvania men’s indoor NJ/Vineland) in the 55-meter hurdles and track and field team made its final NCAA freshman Corey Wright (Neptune, NJ/ Division III national championship meet Neptune) in the 400-meter dash. Fresh- one to remember. man Jared Randle (Kankakee, IL/ Lincoln freshman Kedrieck Gibbons Kankakee) was third in the long jump on (Natchez, MS/Hinds Community College) the opening day of competition. and senior Bobby Young (Providence, RI/ “It feels great to help my team and de- Mt. Pleasant) each won national titles in fend my title,” Young said. “I just ran hard their respective events to help the Lincoln and kept running harder with each turn.” claim its sixth NCAA Division III indoor Freshman Aaron Hunter (Sharon Hill, national championship in school history PA/Academy Park) was fourth in the triple and dethrone six-time champ Wisconsin- jump. The Lions’ 4 x 400-meter relay LaCrosse, 59-48. team of Young, Wright, junior Lance Wig- It was Lincoln’s first NCAA indoor na- fall (East Orange, NJ/East Orange Cam- tional championship since 2000. This was pus) and sophomore Francisco Santos the 17th overall national title including (Bronx, NY/Herbert Lehman) also came men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor in second, finishing behind Wisconsin- championships for longtime coach Cyrus LaCrosse. D. Jones since 1985. The Lions turned in “We came out strong today, and the an overwhelming effort on the second day kids really made a believer out of me,” Bobby Young won the 400-meter dash of the NCAA meet held at Rose-Hulman Jones said. “They worked hard all year to help the Lions dethrone Wisconsin- Institute of Technology. and really deserve this. For us to go out as LaCrosse, 59-48. It was Lincoln’s sixth “This is unbelievable,” said Jones after champions in possibly our last Division III indoor title in school history. his latest national title, “If you had told me meet means a lot to me. at beginning of the day, that we would win “Even after a bad day on Friday, the (the national title), I would not have be- guys seemed to be focused when they were for my kids because they take a lot from lieved it. I was so upset (after Friday’s pre- sitting in the hotel lobby and that’s what I me in terms of discipline. They are only liminary round) and in our meeting last like to see in an athlete. I am really happy carrying-on tradition.” LU night, I told them there was no way we can win this unless we run flawless. They made almost no mistakes today and they did what they had to do. They were true cham- Gibbons runs through the pain pions today.” Competing with a fractured foot, Gib- With a throbbing foot and a white gauze bandage on his bons won the 55-meter hurdles in 7.37 hand, a less than 100 percent version of Kedrieck Gibbons seconds. Gibbons is Lincoln’s first 55- had a foreign thought dancing inside of his head as he pre- meter hurdles champion since Chris pared to line-up for his 55-meter hurdle national champion- Cobbs in 2001. Young, who finished sec- ship race. ond in the 400-meter dash the last two “For the first time in my career, I thought I was going to years, prevailed in his event in 48.42 sec- actually lose a race because of how I felt (going into a onds. Young is Lincoln’s first 400-meter race),” Gibbons said. “In the prelims, (my foot) was hurting dash champion since Robert Woolbright to the point where I had tears in my eyes, but I couldn’t let in 1998. anybody see me hurt. The pain was worse on (the day of “After fracturing my toe three weeks ago the race). It was hurting badly.” and taking a spill at the end of the prelimi- Naturally, Gibbons ignored the pain, left the field of challengers in his wake and naries yesterday, I knew that I had to have sprinted to championship glory in a time of 7.37 seconds. Gibbons immediately col- perfect form today,” Gibbons said. “I am lapsed after he crossed the finish line from the excruciating pain. Coach Cyrus Jones just glad to be able to help my team out in had to rush Gibbons’ special gray boot to him to provide some temporary relief. this race.” “After fracturing my toe three weeks ago and taking a spill at the end of the pre- In addition to victories from Gibbons liminaries yesterday, I knew that I had to have perfect form today,” Gibbons said. “I and Young, Lincoln also received a sec- am just glad to be able to help my team out in this race. I wanted us to win nationals ond-place finish from sophomore high- and I was just willing to do what I had to help us. Coach (Cyrus D. Jones) told us jumper Jamal Whitted (Orlando, FL/Oak what we needed to do in order to win.” For the complete story visit Lincoln’s website Ridge), along with third place efforts from at www.lincoln.edu/athletics/index.html. PAGE 4 LINCOLN UNIVERSITY VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 MVP McMillan, Lincoln gain revenge to claim crown The second- seeded Lincoln Lincoln 87, Mitchell 72 LINCOLN: Nesmith 11-19 1-1 26; McMillan, 9-11 1-1 21; University women’s Rotimi 9-14 1-2 19; Atkinson 4-9 1-2 9; Jackson, 2-5 0-0 4; basketball team Harris 1-2 0-0 2; Robinson 1-3 0-0 2; Cook 1-3 0-0 2; Hilton 1- won the Association 4 0-0 2; Webster 0-0 0-0 0; Fore 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 39-70 4-6 of Division III In- 87. MITCHELL: Jeffreys 10-21 2-2 29; Hansen 8-16 5-6 21; dependents North- Iglesias 3-7 0-0 7; Brisson 2-3 0-0 5; Barnes 1-13 2-4 4; Evans east Region champi- 1-3 1-2 3; Syemour 1-2 0-0 2; Krolikowski 0-0 1-2 1; Coston onship for the first 0-0 0-0 0; Sullivan 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 26-66 11-16 72. time in school his- Halftime: Lincoln 42-33. 3-point field goals:Lincoln 5-12 (Nesmith 3-7; McMillan 2-3; Harris 0-1; Hilton 0-1), Mitchell tory by defeating 9-21 (Jeffreys 7-14; Iglesias 1-4; Brisson 1-2; Barnes 0-1). top-seeded Mitchell Fouled out: None. Rebounds: Lincoln 48 (Rotimi, Mary 13), College, 87-72, last Mitchell 26 (Brisson & Hansen 6). Assists: Lincoln 22 (Harris month at Manuel 10), Mitchell 19 (Evans 10). Total fouls: Lincoln 12, Mitchell Rivero Hall to fin- 11. A:450 ish a special season. Guards Shanice Nesmith and Sharell McMillan Lincoln, which finished the season at and we definitely used what we rejoice after cutting down the nets after leading 19-8 overall, placed three players in learned last year to help us be Lincoln to the Association of Division III Inde- double figures highlighted by freshman successful this season,” pendents championship. Nesmith averaged 23 guard Shanice Nesmith’s second career McMillan said. “I was playing points and McMillan averaged 21.5 points in the double double of 26 points and 12 re- hard, but I don’t win this MVP two victories over Maine-Presque Isle and bounds. Junior guard Sharell McMillan without my teammates. They Mitchell. set a career-high for the second straight definitely deserve a lot of credit game by scoring 21 points. Senior cen- for helping me win this award.” double digits in the second half. This time, ter Mary Rotimi collected her 38th ca- After opening the season with a 4-6 re- Lincoln had Mitchell doing the chasing. reer double double with 19 points and cord, Lincoln won 15 of its last 17 games to In its defeat to Mitchell earlier this year, 13 rebounds. Freshman point guard establish a school record for victories in a Lincoln only received scoring from four Chanelle Harris tied her career-high season. The previous mark was 14 set by players. In the most recent contest, nine with 10 assists to help Lincoln extend its the 2000 team. players reached the scoring column. Lin- winning streak to seven games. While McMillan got great satisfaction of coln also won the rebounding battle, 48- McMillan was named tournament winning her first career MVP award, she 26. MVP after making 9-of-11 baskets from was more thrilled that she helped end Lincoln was able to survive a first-half the field and 2-of-3 from 3-point dis- Mitchell’s 12-game winning streak. scoring barrage from Jeffreys, who scored tance. McMillan averaged 21.5 points in Mitchell (16-11) received 29-points from 22 of Mitchell’s 33 first half points. Jef- leading Lincoln to the AD3I champion- Jeffreys and 21 points from sophomore freys, who also had four steals, finished the ship. Joining McMillan on the all- Ashley Hansen. Sophomore guard game making 10-of-21 baskets from the tournament team was Nesmith, Alva Shakeya Evans also handed out 10 assists field, 7-of-14 from 3-point distance and 2- Jeffreys of for Mitchell. for-2 from the foul line. Jeffreys only fin- Mitchell, Julie “That was great,” McMillan said of end- ished with seven points in the second half Westcott of ing Mitchell’s winning streak. “They ended thanks to a little defensive adjustment. Maine- our (eight-game) winning streak early in the “We put more ball pressure at the top Presque Isle season and we were pretty disappointed by our of 1-3-1 rover defense,” McMillan and Megan that. So to get them back and win a title at said. “It seemed like our weakness on that Farrell of St. the same time is something I will always was in the corner on the short side and it Joseph’s remember.” seemed like they had to rely on (Hansen) (Maine). Lincoln ended a two-game losing streak to score and that’s what we wanted.” “This win to Mitchell and avenged an earlier, 76-66 McMillian’s 3-pointer fueled a 15-3 means a lot to loss to the Pequots back on January 28 in Lincoln surge that helped it open its larg- us and to the New London. est lead of the game, 57-38, with 15:27 re- program be- The biggest difference in the game was maining. During the run, Lincoln made cause this was the performance of Lincoln. The Lions five consecutive baskets. Asha Atkinson had a our second made a season-high 55.7 percent of their “Winning the championship of this tour- strong year for Lin- straight year in shots (39-for-70) and scored a season-high nament is a good ending to my career at coln. the AD3I in points. Unlike its previous two defeats to Lincoln,” Rotimi said. “We didn’t expect tournament Mitchell, Lincoln did not fall behind by to shoot the ball as well as did tonight. It feels good to finally beat Mitchell.” LU VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 LINCOLN UNIVERSITY PAGE 5 Lincoln women finished season as champions From beginning to end, the Lincoln and spark to the Lions lineup whenever University of Pennsylvania women’s bas- she entered the game. ketball team enjoyed a special season filled “I didn’t want this season to end,” Ha- with championships, memorable moments man said. “During our eight-game streak, and school records. the girls whole thing was 14 strong, not The Lady Lions finished the 2006-07 only on the court, but off the court. They season with a 19-8 record, their best re- looked out for each other and that carried cord in the 37-year history of the program. over to the court. The ladies had a strong The 19 victories also were a school record. will to win this year and we knew how to Lincoln accomplished its first winning sea- win. They knew what it took and it was so son since 2000 by closing the season with much fun watching them grow.” victories in 15 of its final 17 games. Lincoln really got going after losing to The last two wins occurred in the Asso- Moravian, 89-83, in the consolation game ciation of Division III Independents post- of the Moravian tournament. That tough season tournament, which ended with Lin- defeat was the fourth in a row for the Lady coln cutting down the nets in front of the Lions and left their record at 4-6. How- home fans at Rivero Hall following an 87- ever, Lincoln kicked into high gear by win- 72 victory over Mitchell College. ning eight consecutive games to set a pro- It was the first postseason champion- gram record. During the winning streak, ship in women’s basketball program his- Lincoln’s average margin of victory was tory. The postseason championship was 15.8 points per game. The highlight of the the perfect complement to the James A. streak was a 75-71 overtime road victory Mary Rotimi was named D3hoops.com Richardson Tip-Off tournament crown over Wilkes. all Mid-Atlantic region third team and won by the Lady Lions at the start of the Every player made a significant contri- to the first team of Association of Divi- season. bution at some point during the winning sion III Independents squad. “The season to me was magical,” third- streak. Cook scored a career-high 19 year coach Andy Haman said. “The entire points as Lincoln defeated Lycoming, 75- program changed and what’s important is and 12.4 rebounds). Rotimi finished 62. Freshman Noel Webster (Elkton, that people outside of this University eighth nationally in rebounding. It was the MD/Elkton) played outstanding defense to started to recognize that the women’s team second consecutive year Rotimi finished help Lincoln beat Wilkes. Freshmen Tia is on its way to become a top-notch pro- among the top ten nationally in rebound- Hilton (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Central), gram. It was enjoyable coaching the girls ing. Rotimi collected 18 double-doubles Elissa Jackson (Fruitland, MD/Parkside) this year.” this season to complete her career with 39. and Saharra Robinson (Clayton, NJ/ Lincoln experienced the fruits of its suc- The Lions were balanced on offense as Clayton) established career-highs in points cess this season as freshman guard Shanice five players averaged at least five points per as Lincoln defeated Penn College, 82-53. Nesmith (Philadelphia, PA/University game. As a team, Lincoln finished 42nd Seniors Natasha James (Philadelphia, PA/ City) was named the Association of Divi- nationally in scoring offense (71.2 points William Penn) and Latoya Thompson sion III Independents Rookie of the Year. per game), sixth in steals per game (15.3) (York, PA/William Penn) made several Senior center Mary Rotimi (Philadelphia, and 31st in blocked shots (4.7). In addition clutch plays late in the second half to help PA/Frankford) was named to the AD3I to Rotimi and Nesmith, Lincoln also had Lincoln edge College of St. Elizabeth’s, first team. Rotimi was named to the junior Sharell McMillan (Levittown, PA/ 80-72. D3hoops.com all-Mid Atlantic region’s Harry S. Truman) and Chanelle Harris Freshman Skyla Fore (Charlotte, NC/ third team. Lincoln’s performance this (Yeadon, PA/Penn Wood) finish among University City) and sophomore Kiah season earned the respect of many oppos- the top 100 in individual categories. Wright (Bronx, NY/Adlai E. Stevenson) ing coaches. McMillan also sparked Lincoln’s de- also enjoyed some bright moments during Lincoln finished the season with three fense by averaging 3.3 steals per game, the memorable season. players averaging double figures and which ranked her 30th in Division III. “This was a special season with a spe- ranked nationally in several NCAA statisti- Junior forward Asha Atkinson cial group of women who worked hard cal categories. Nesmith led Lincoln in (Deptford, NJ/Deptford) proved to be a from the first day of practice to final scoring with an 18.2 point per game aver- stabilizing factor and a multi-dimensional buzzer of the last game,” Haman said. “I age. She scored a freshman school record threat. Atkinson averaged 9.8 points, 7.3 will always remember these women and 502 points, surpassing Tehma Smith’s 429 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 steals. Sopho- this season. We had fun throughout the in 1997. more Tanina Cook (Landover, MD/ year, but the best part was watching them Rotimi averaged a double-double for Charles H. Flowers) averaged 5.4 points grow and develop into the team I had envi- the second consecutive year (14.2 points and 5.0 rebounds while adding some sizzle sioned at the start of the year.” LU PAGE 6 LINCOLN UNIVERSITY VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 Carter-Bey helped Lincoln men enjoy strong year By JORDEAN MATTHEWS “TJ” Hickson, who had his season ended Sports Information Assistant after the fourth game of the season be- Living up to the motto “work before cause of a dislocated shoulder. play” Lincoln University of Pennsylvania “TJ I’ve know half my life, it’s sad we senior basketball guard Vincent Carter- couldn’t finish out our senior year to- Bey (Randallstown, MD/Randallstown) gether but I wish him the best of luck.” shows leadership on and off the court. The coaching staff at Lincoln has also As a student-athlete, the 6-2 Carter-Bey played important roles in his develop- never confuses the two remaining unsel- ment as a student-athlete. Head coach fishly dedicated to both. Out of high Garfield Yuille was described by Carter- school Carter-Bey attended Morgan State Bey as one of the best coaches he has University where he only stayed for a se- ever had. They have both been a part of mester before transferring to Lincoln the team since his freshman year and University. With a smile of accomplish- Carter-Bey says Yuille has stayed loyal ment, Carter-Bey remembers making the and is always there for on and off the Dean’s List his first semester at Lincoln. court guidance. Always tending to his academics first “Any type of problem you have he is was a habit Carter-Bey picked up at a there to help, being around him he young age. Vincent Carter-Bey was a key con- helped me prepare for the real world,” “My mother wouldn’t let me play until tributor during his career for the said Carter-Bey. “He helped me realize my grades were up,” said Carter-Bey. Lincoln men’s basketball team. after college I could do whatever I want.” Carter-Bey started playing basketball Carter-Bey also gives respect to the at the age of 11 after growing up watching assistant coaches Eugene Lett and Brian his brother Victor play. Describing him- the Lions during his four-year career. Winfield who have served as mentors self as competitive Carter-Bey says he is “He is an excellent leader on the throughout the years. someone who doesn’t like to lose, and floor,” said sophomore teammate Dante Carter-Bey lists some of his accom- uses that as his motivation to play harder. Blanton, who credited Carter-Bey as be- plishments in no particular order as mak- Carter-Bey says one of his biggest mo- ing the glue that holds the team together. ing the honor roll his last two years of tivations was his former Randallstown “Without him I don’t think we would high school, winning the state champion- High School coach Kim Rivers, who have made it this far.” ship in the tenth grade and in 2006 mak- Carter-Bey says influenced him to play Carter-Bey remembers coming in as a ing it to the Division III sweet 16. defense. freshman and now being the only mem- “He’s unselfish, always thinking of the “He always said defense wins champi- ber of that team still here. With each year team first,” said Hickson. onships, and that made me want to play come new players which all begin to grow Carter-Bey is the youngest of three chil- better D, he made me into the player I on him. Carter-Bey acknowledges his dren, he has one brother and a sister am today,” said Carter-Bey of Rivers. teammates for their different roles. Sen- name Vicki. His mother, whom Carter- Carter-Bey is considered by many one ior Sami Wylie is someone Carter-Bey Bey describes as a strong black female of the best defensive players in Division realizes have been around the longest. raised him. III. Carter-Bey’s defense, experience and Being one of the oldest on the team “She raised three kids by herself,” said leadership was vital as Lincoln advanced Carter-Bey says, “Stuff we’re going Carter-Bey, also stating all of whom went to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 for through he can relate to.” to college and he will be the last to gradu- the second consecutive year. “He’s a players coach, someone you ate. Carter-Bey has played a huge role in would love you have on your team,” said Carter-Bey is a health science major helping the Lincoln qualify for the Wylie. “He’s a good player that does who plans on going back to school for NCAA tournament for the second con- what he’s told, works hard, and is a good physical therapy after graduation and secutive year. Lincoln defeated Alvernia, student.” then moving back to his hometown of 91-76, and Catholic, 81-70, in the first Carter-Bey describes his teammates as Baltimore, Maryland to work in a hospi- two rounds of the NCAA tournament his brothers. tal or clinic. before dropping a 129-128 triple- “Woo I look up to a lot because he’s “I want to be successful,” said Carter- overtime classic against Guilford. been through a lot but he came to college Bey. “It’s bigger then basketball, I did it Carter-Bey averaged 1.9 points per and became successful,” said Carter-Bey in high school, now on the Division III game and 1.1 rebounds. Numbers don’t of teammate Garrick Wooten. level, I’m happy with that, the NBA isn’t define the type of impact he has had for Carter-Bey also acknowledges his for everyone.” LU teammate and former roommate Thomas VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 LINCOLN UNIVERSITY PAGE 7 After deep NCAA run, Lincoln finished among the elite Ends the season ranked 19th by D3hoops.com

The Lincoln University of Pennsyl- vania men’s basketball team finished the 2006-07 season ranked 19th in the final D3hoops.com Top 25 poll. It was the second consecutive sea- son, Lincoln (20-9 overall) finished the season ranked in the Top 25. Lincoln, which received 146 points in the final Top 25 poll, finished last year ranked 10th in Division III. Lincoln was the only team in the Mid-Atlantic region to finish the season nationally-ranked. Lincoln advanced to the NCAA Di- vision III Sweet 16 for the second con- secutive year where it lost a 129-128 triple overtime thriller to Guilford Col- lege at Virginia Wesleyan College. It was also the second straight year, Lin- coln’s season ended with a one-point defeat at Virginia Wesleyan. Sami Wylie (left) and Dwight Dean had some big moments during the season as “Finishing the season nationally- Lincoln qualified for the NCAA Division III tournament for the second straight ranked is another nice accomplishment year. The Lions finished 19th in the final D3hoops.com Top 25 poll after winning for our program and our University,” seven of their last nine games. third-year coach Garfield Yuille said. “I am very proud of my team for getting back to the NCAA tournament and finish- ter) finished as Lincoln’s leading scorer game in Lincoln’s three NCAA tourna- ing the season by winning seven of our last (17.4 points per game) and leading re- ment games. nine games.” bounder (7.8 rebounds per game). Byard Other key contributors throughout the Despite that tough defeat, Lincoln was named to the Association of Division season for the Lions included sophomore turned its season around after losing three III Independents’ first team and to the guard Keyon Johnson (Baltimore, MD/ out of four games during a stretch in Janu- D3hoops.com Mid-Atlantic region third Southern), junior guard Thomas Lahart ary. Lincoln finished the regular season by team. Byard also was named to the AD3I (Philadelphia, PA/Millbrook-NC), senior winning its final five games to earn the No. All-tournament team. guard Vincent Carter-Bey (Randallstown, 1 seed in the Association of Division III Senior guard Sami Wylie (Philadelphia, MD/Randallstown), freshman forward Independents tournament. After finishing PA/Southern), who set a NCAA record for Lavine Grimes (Philadelphia, PA/Friere second in the AD3I tournament, Lincoln 3-pointers made in a single game with 21 Charter), sophomore center Brandon received its second straight bid to the Divi- earlier in the season, was named to the Wilchcombe (Philadelphia, PA/ sion III tournament. NABC Mid-Atlantic region second team. Strawberry Mansion), sophomore guard The Lions defeated Alvernia, 91-76, Wylie averaged 14.2 points per game and RaShawn Dennis (Philadelphia, PA/ and Catholic, 81-70, in the first two rounds led the Lions with 92 3-pointers made dur- Parkway), Garrick Wooten (Randallstown. of the NCAA tournament at Catholic Uni- ing the season. Senior forward Dwight MD/Randallstown) and freshman forward versity of America in Washington, DC. Dean (Baltimore, MD/Cardinal Gibbons) Dominic Washington (Philadelphia, PA/ Lincoln finished the season ranked in the chipped in with 14.5 points per game and Imhotep Charter). top 10 in three categories. The Lions were 6.9 rebounds per contest. Lincoln began the season ranked 16th in fifth in scoring offense (90.6), seventh in Junior Darryl White (Philadelphia, PA/ the preseason Top 25 poll. The Lions steals per game (5.2) and seventh in Frankford) averaged 11.9 points per game. soared to a No. 10 ranking after a 5-1 start. blocked shots (12.3). It was the third Junior guard Earl Miller (Wilmington, DE/ However, the Lions fell out of the Top 25 straight season, Lincoln finished in the top Sanford School) finished the season aver- following consecutive road losses to 10 in scoring offense. aging 9.0 points and 3.6 assists. Sopho- Ramapo and Penn State-Altoona. Lincoln is Junior forward Tyreek Byard more guard Dante Blanton (Baltimore, 66-21 under Yuille and has posted three (Philadelphia, PA/Franklin Learning Cen- MD/Dunbar) averaged 7.6 points per consecutive seasons of 20 or more wins. LU game for the season and 19 points per

The Lincoln University pep band strutted its stuff during the 2007 NCAA tournament. Sports Information Director Rob Knox chills with the Lincoln University cheerleaders before the men’s basketball game against Guilford in the NCAA tournament.

Band director H. Wade Johnson (right) con- sults with the Lion mascot during Lincoln’s basketball game against Guilford. The scoreboard tells the story as Lincoln and Guilford prepare for a third and decisive over- time in their classic Sweet 16 match-up.

Coach Andy Haman, senior center Mary Rotimi and coach Kisha Middleton. Kyle Wanamaker makes a save.