The Lincoln University men’s basketball team closed the 2009-10 season on a high note defeating Oklahoma Panhandle State, 81-76, Saturday evening in Heartland Conference action inside Jason Gym.
It looked like OPSU (10-17, 6-10 HC) would run away early, building a six-point lead at the 17:16 mark after Marcale Marshall converted a pair from the free throw line to give the Aggies a 9-3 lead.
Lincoln (5-22, 2-14 HC) would take their first lead at the 9:14 mark on a three-pointer by freshman Anthony Welch to put Lincoln ahead by two, 20-18.
The Blue Tigers would build the lead as high as eight in the first half thanks to a trey by senior Lionel Booker at the 2:51 mark giving Lincoln the 36-28 advantage.
OPSU would trim the lead down to four, but a bucket by senior Donald Brumfield helped Lincoln take a six-point lead into halftime, 38-32.
The Aggies stormed out of the locker room, scoring the first nine points to take a three-point lead at the 17:10 mark following a layup by Marshall.
OPSU would build the lead up to seven after Trayvon Williams delivered a three-pointer at the 13:55 mark for the 49-42 Aggie lead.
OPSU would hold the lead until the 7:21 mark when senior Ryan Spearman hit from behind the arc to put Lincoln back in front, 56-54.
It would remain close over the next several minutes until freshman Cameron Rodriguez came through with a big jumper in the paint following his own miss to put Lincoln back ahead by five, 68-63, with 2:20 to play.
The Aggies made one last run at the Blue Tigers, as Lincoln looked to have the game put away with 1:10 to play and ahead by six, but a pair of turnovers led to two quick baskets for OPSU to trim the deficit to just two, 74-72. After sophomore Matt Morris hit a pair of free throws, Spearman came through with a big steal on the next Aggie possession to preserve the victory.
Senior Lionel Booker concluded his Lincoln career in style, scoring a season-high 26 points, hitting five three-pointers, while adding five assists, a rebound and three steals. Welch added 11 points, while Spearman finished his career with the Blue Tigers with 10 points. Brumfield added five points, a rebound and an assist in his final game.
The free throw line was the difference in the game, as Lincoln went 21-for-30 (70), while OPSU went just 10-for26 (38.5). As the Aggies shot well from the field, hitting on 30-of-64 shots (46.9), while Lincoln went just 24-for-66 (36.4) from the field.
Lincoln’s victory also helped the Blue Tigers to their first doubleheader sweep of the season.