The Men’s Championship Game is now set as the Lions will play Winston-Salem State Saturday
BALTIMORE, MD (February 24, 2023) – The No. 6 seed Lincoln (PA) Lions (17-13 overall) took down the No. 2 seed Fayetteville State Broncos (17-13) to advance to the 2023 CIAA Men’s Basketball Championship game with a 53-49 victory Friday night during the semifinals at CFG Bank Arena.
Neither team led by more than six points in the final frame and after two second-half lead changes, the Lions gathered control in what appeared to be for good when Peter Sorber sunk a pair of free throws with 1:40 left for a 50-47 advantage. However, Fayetteville State’s Khalil Ridges responded with a pair of freebies to make it interesting (51-49) as seven seconds reflected on the scoreboard. Reggie Hudson made one of two free throws to make it a three-point game for Lincoln (PA) and the Broncos’ Darryl Myers corralled the rebound to give Fayetteville State a chance to tie the game. However, Kaleb Coleman’s three-point attempt was no good, clinching Lion’s berth in the championship game.
FSU owned a 24-23 lead at halftime and in the first two minutes of the second half, the Broncos grew a six-point lead capped off by a 3-pointer from D’Marco Baucum. Lincoln (PA) managed to tie and then steal the lead with a 12-5 scoring margin over the next nine minutes.
Three players scored in double figures for Lincoln (PA) led by Ethan Garita and Reggie Hudson, who both charted 11 points each, while Korey Williams chipped in 10 points and four rebounds. Garita was named Food Lion Game MVP. As a team, the Lions had a huge shooting performance in the second half, connecting 10-of-19 shots compared to the first halves 32 percent (8-25).
Khalil Ridges led FSU with 12 points, and he had six rebounds and three steals. Coleman finished with nine points and seven rebounds and Myers contributed a team-high nine boards, along with seven points. The Broncos shot 32 percent from the field, combining for just 16 shots made for the contest.
The Lions will face the No. 5 seed Winston-Salem State Rams on Saturday, Feb. 25 in the title game slated for 1 p.m. from CFG Bank Arena.
The win grants Lincoln (PA) its first championship appearance since joining the CIAA in 2008.