Tuesday,
November 25, 2003
Lincoln
University and Cheyney University Resume Basketball Rivalry
On November 29 at Temple University’s McGonigle Hall
The
Lady Lions and Lady Wolves will play in the opener at
6 p.m.; the Lions will take on All-American Forward Anthony
Frazier and the Wolves in the nightcap at 8 p.m.
Lincoln
University, PA (www.lincoln.edu)—Lincoln University---the
nation’s first Historically Black College---will
play in one of college basketball’s biggest rivalries
when the University faces the Cheyney University Wolves
on November 29 at Temple University’s McGonigle Hall
in the 13th Annual Holiday Classic Basketball Doubleheader
beginning at 6 p.m.
The
Lincoln Lions, who won five of their last six games at
the end of the 2002-2003 season, are 1-1 thus far this
season going into tonight’s home game against Randolph-Macon
College. The Lions split two games in the Montclair State
University Tournament last weekend in New Jersey—losing
to seventh-ranked (in NCAA Division III) Montclair State
University, 80-45 in the first game. The Lions beat Fisher
College of Boston, 85-54, in the constellation game. The
Lions are led by 7-foot-2 1/2 sophmore center John Bunch
(Randallstown High, Maryland), who led the nation (NCAA
Division III) in blocked shots last season. Bunch is on
a division-leading pace on this season, collecting 23
blocks against Montclair State and Fisher College.
In
addition, Bunch pulled down 34 rebounds in last weekend’s
games. Coach Robert Byars, said the Lions inside game
would be further solidified by 6-9 junior forward/center
Linwood Gilmore (Duluth High, Philadelphia ), who is coming
off a nagging knee injury from last season. In last weekend’s
tournament, Gilmore had 14 points and 15 rebounds against
Fisher. Byars said the Lions will have to contain Cheyney’s
All-American senior forward, Anthony Frazier.
“We’re
bigger than Cheyney, but they’ve got more speed and
experience,” said coach Byars. “We’re looking
to limit them to a half-court game and control the tempo
of the game. We have to stay out of foul trouble. In the
Fisher College game, we showed more discipline.”
Byars,
a Cheyney alumnus and former football player at the University
who went onto play in the NFL, said he is looking for
strong outside shooting from 6-6 guard Andre Logan (Academy
Park High, Sharon Hill, Pa.), who had 39 points against
Fisher College, and 6-6 senior forward Michael Kearse
(Collingswood High, New Jersey).
The
Lincoln Lady Lions (1-1), who opened their season last
weekend at RAMAPO College Tournament with a split, play
the Lady Wolves in opening game at 6 p.m. The Lady Lions
are led by senior 5-7 guard Jada Savoy (Bodine High, Philadelphia
), who led the team assists and was second in scoring
last season; and 5-9 junior forward Altoria Spann (Ben
Franklin High, Philadelphia), who led the Lady Lions in
offensive rebounds last season. Alfred Miles, the women’s
team head coach, is also looking for scoring production
from 5-5 freshman guard Rayshonna Hill (Benjamin Baneker
High, Brooklyn, NY), who scored 26 points against Lehman
College last weekend’s RAMAPO College Tournament.
Freshman center Mary Rotimi (6-1), out of Philadelphia’s
Frankford High School, is also expected to be a presence
inside.
“It’s
going to be a war,” said coach Miles of the upcoming
game against the Lady Wolves. “It’s our arch-rival,
so we’ll be ready for a tough game.”
Tickets
for the game can be purchased in advance through the Cheyney
University Athletic Department by calling (610) 399-2287.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children six years
old and older and for students with identification. Tickets
will also be available at McGonigle Hall after 5 p.m.
on November 29, the evening of the doubleheader.
Located
in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, Lincoln University
is nationally recognized as a major producer of African
Americans with undergraduate degrees in the physical sciences
(biology, chemistry and physics); computer and informational
sciences; biological and life sciences. Lincoln has the
unprecedented distinction among all colleges and universities
of having two of its alumni -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Thurgood Marshall, class of 1930, and poet Langston Hughes,
class of 1929- -- honored with first-class commemorative
postage stamps in February 2003, and January 2002, respectively.
