Williams' Double-double Paces Lions to Win over Elizabeth City State
Deaquan Williams recorded his ninth double-double of the season, leading the Lincoln University men's basketball team to a 76-66 win over Elizabeth City State University Wednesday night at Manuel Rivero Gym.
The win snaps a four-game losing skid for the Lions, who improve to 12-8 overall and 5-4 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) games. Lincoln is also 1-1 in CIAA north division contests. The Vikings fall to 10-10 overall and 6-3 in league play. ECSU is 0-2 in north division contests.
Williams led all scorers with 21 points and 15 rebounds to notch his league leading ninth double-double of the season. His nine double-doubles ranks him tenth amongst all NCAA division II players. Cameron Campbell added 15 points and Tamir Green chipped in ten points and dished out a game-high eight assists.
A 10-0 first half run but the Lions firmly in control, breaking a 17-17 deadlock and giving the Lions their first double digit lead of the game. The Vikings did close within five twice before Campbell's three-pointer with nine seconds left pushed the lead to eight at the break, 34-26.
Layups from Green and Williams early in the second half pushed the lead back to ten before a 6-2 mini-run by the Vikings cut Lincoln's lead to six 40-34. The Lions responded with a 19-8 surge to take a 17-point lead 59-42 with 8:48 left. Williams posted 11 of the 19 points with Green, Gevon Arrington, Josh Page and Jordan Camper providing the rest of the offense during the run.
The Vikings however rallied with a 15-4 run over the next four minutes to make it a two possession game 63-57 with 4:44 left. The lead was still six when Arrington connected on four free throws followed by a layup from page and a three-ball from Green. Arrington added two more free throws as part of a 11-3 run to push their lead to 14, 76-62 with 1:40 left. The Vikings scored the final four points to round out the scoring.
Justin Faison led ECSU with 19 points while Aujameq Daniels chipped in ten. Tyjhai Byers added eight points and a team-high eight rebounds.
The Lions shot 46.3% (25-54) from the field and 82.6% (19-23) from the free throw line. Lincoln was also 7-19 from three point range (36.8%). The Vikings shot 31.8% (21-66) from the field, 31.6% (6-19) from three point range and (75% (18-24) from the free throw line. Lincoln is now 6-0 when allowing 66 or fewer points in a game.
The men's basketball team returns to action when the travel to face defending CIAA tournament champion Virginia Union University on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m.