RALEIGH, N.C. (Jan. 13) – Saint Augustine's University battled back from a huge early deficit but fell 58-50 to Lincoln (Pa.) University in a CIAA women's basketball game at Emery Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 12.
The Lady Falcons trailed by 18 points after the first period but pulled within 53-50 with 2:38 in the fourth period on two free throws by Shankia Clark (Jr./Orlando, FL). The Lions scored the final five points for the win.
Kamya Renwicks (Jr./Baltimore, MD) paced the Lady Falcons with a season-high 17 points. Kelsee Arnold (Sr./Fayetteville, GA) added 14 points and Clark produced her third straight double-double, 10 points and 12 rebounds.
The Lady Falcons started slowly in the first period. The Lions scored the first 10 points on their way to a 20-2 lead. The visitors ended the period leading 27-9.
In the second period, the Lady Falcons chipped away at their deficit. They outscored the Lions 16-7 to trail 34-25 at halftime
SAU made its biggest push in the second half. Led by eight points from Arnold and seven points from Renwicks, the Lady Falcons closed within 52-45 at the end of the third period. In the fourth period, neither team scored until the 5:54 mark when Clark converted a three-point play to bring the Lady Falcons within 52-48.
DeAshia Young made one of two free throws for a five-point Lincoln lead, but Clark countered with two free throws to bring the Lady Falcons within three. The Lady Falcons had a chance to pull even closer but were scoreless in the final 2:38 of the contest.
Kwanza Murray paced four double-figure scorers with 18 points for the Lions (2-4 CIAA, 8-9 overall). Young added 17 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lady Falcons (1-6 CIAA, 2-12 overall) are back on the court Monday, Jan. 14, against defending CIAA champion Virginia Union University for a home conference game at 5:30 p.m. Both teams met earlier in a non-conference game on Jan. 4 in Richmond, Va.
This matchup against Virginia Union will be the fourth home game in eight days for the Lady Falcons.
