BALTIMORE, MD — February 24, 2026 — Lincoln (PA) (10–19) delivered one of its grittiest performances of the season, rallying past Shaw (16–11) for a 69–63 victory in the opening round of the CIAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at CFG Bank Arena. Powered by a breakout performance from Food Lion Player of the Game Julius Olanrewaju, the Lions overcame a halftime deficit and executed down the stretch to earn a spot in the next round, where they will face #1 Northern Division seed Virginia State on Thursday, February 26 at 6:40 PM.

Shaw controlled much of the first half behind the inside-out scoring of Avery Huggins and the steady guard play of Isaiah Buckley. Huggins poured in 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Buckley added 17 points, keeping the Bears efficient from the perimeter and helping them build a 36–33 lead at the break. Justin Harris also gave Shaw a strong scoring lift with 14 points, including four threes that energized the Bears early.

Lincoln stayed within striking distance thanks to its balance and resilience. Olanrewaju anchored the Lions’ attack, scoring 20 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, while also contributing six rebounds and key defensive plays. The supporting cast matched his energy: Ronald Bridges Jr. added 13 points, consistently attacking off the dribble, and Ginuwine Tropnas contributed 10 points, hitting all six of his free throws and providing timely fourth-quarter production.

The second half shifted on Lincoln’s defensive adjustments and improved ball movement. The Lions shot over 52 percent from the floor after halftime and limited Shaw to just seven made field goals in the final 20 minutes. Lincoln also capitalized on its depth, with Kesean Shillingford and Gian-Paul Anderson combining for important bench minutes, connecting on timely threes and stabilizing the offense when Shaw threatened to pull away.

Midway through the second half, Olanrewaju buried a transition three to tie the game, and moments later Amadou Fall’s putback tied it again after Shaw briefly reclaimed the lead. Fall finished with nine points, five rebounds, and several critical interior stops that halted Shaw’s momentum. The Lions finally seized control with back-to-back strong finishes from Olanrewaju and Tropnas, turning a tied game into a multi-possession advantage as the clock ticked under five minutes.

Shaw continued to battle, with Buckley and Harris hitting big shots to keep the Bears within range. But Lincoln’s late-game poise sealed the outcome. Bridges knocked down pressure free throws, and Tropnas scored six points in the closing minutes—including two clutch free throws and a fast-break layup off a steal—to push the lead out of reach. Lincoln went 12-of-15 from the line in the second half, outscoring Shaw at the stripe and controlling the final possessions.

By the final buzzer, Lincoln’s efficient shooting and defensive toughness proved decisive. The Lions held Shaw to 30 percent shooting in the second half, out-rebounded the Bears 36–24, and closed the game on a 14–8 run to punch their ticket to the next round.

For full tournament information, schedules, and updates, visit ciaatournament.org.