CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 25) – Saint Augustine's University rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final five minutes to defeat Lincoln (Pa.) University 66-61 in a CIAA Tournament opening round men's basketball game at Bojangles' Coliseum on Tuesday.
The Falcons won an opening round game in the CIAA Tournament for the fourth straight year. They defeated Lincoln (Pa.) three times in nail-biters during that stretch including the last two matchups.
Tuesday's game was another tournament thriller against the Lions. The Falcons led by 13 in the first half, only to trail 57-47 with 5:14 left. Led by their pressure defense, the Falcons finished the game in a flurry, going on a 19-4 run to snatch victory from the Lions.
George, who missed most of the regular season due to injury, scored all eight of his points during that stretch to earn the Food Lion MVP award. The SAU forward scored clutch baskets from medium range and Donte Edwards (So./Durham, NC) buried five key free throws in the final 1:24 for the Falcons.
Edwards' three free throws in the final 25 seconds completed the comeback and set the Falcons up with a quarterfinal contest against Southern Division top seed Johnson C. Smith University on Wednesday at 8:50 p.m. inside Bojangles' Coliseum. The Falcons (12-17 overall) are the No. 5 Southern Division seed.
Led by George and Edwards (9 points), the Falcons outscored the Lions in bench points 23-11. The Falcons also forced 16 turnovers, which led to a 15-10 edge in points off miscues.
Karaan Clemonts (Jr./Weldon, NC) and Jalen Gaddy (Sr./Raleigh, NC) also came up big for the Falcons, scoring 13 points and 12 points respectively. Hirk Williams (Sr./Manassas, VA) was huge as well, adding nine points and six rebounds. The Falcons were able to score inside as they held a 24-12 advantage in points in the paint.
Clemonts and Williams scored five points each in the first half as the Falcons opened a 20-7 lead. The Lions, seeded fourth in the Northern Division, slowly whittled the margin and the Falcons found themselves only leading by three at 30-27 at the half.
The Lions (9-20 overall) continued their run in the second half as they built a working margin. But the Falcons wouldn't go away, applying full court pressure after falling behind. The Lions started turning the ball over and SAU converted those mistakes into points to reach the quarterfinals.
Bernard Lightsey scored 17 points and Zahrion Blue added 14 points and eight rebounds for the Lions. Deaquan Williams posted 12 points and 12 rebounds.
