LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. - The Battle of the Firsts came down to the battle of the final 23-seconds with game tied at 51-51, Lincoln's Vernon Young hit a jumper, was fouled and converted the three-point play to put the Lions ahead to stay, as The Lincoln University prevailed 56-53 over Cheyney University in men's basketball action inside Manuel Rivero Hall Wednesday night.

The Wolves (1-4) were coming off a thrilling 74-70 victory in their home-opener on Monday, and were looking for revenge after falling to the Lions (2-4) by two points 74-72 a year ago.

Juwan Mullen led Cheyney with 12 points and six rebounds, Dominique Davis scored nine points, dished out a game-high five assists, grabbed five rebounds and picked up two steals.

Khaalis Carter led a strong effort off the bench for the Wolves with a career-high 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field including making 2-of-4 from beyond the arc.

Imir Bailey was 5-of-7 for 10 points with five rebounds and Lakeem Duncan chipped in with seven points as Cheyney ended the night with a 29-13 scoring edge off the bench.

Lincoln led 37-36 with 13:19 left, following a Davis free-throw, when it went on a 13-4 run to take its largest lead of the night at 50-40 with 8:26 remaining in the second half.

Carter stopped the run with a three-pointer, Davis hit a jumper, Carter converted a layup and Duncan made two free-throws to pull the Wolves within one-point of the lead at 50-49 with 4:16 left to play.

After a free-throw by Lincoln, Mullen tied the game at 51-51 with 3:24 showing on the clock.

Neither team would score again, until Young grabbed an offensive rebound and converted it into the decisive three-point play.

A three-pointer from Cheyney would not fall and Charles Cooley made two free-throws to push the lead to five, 56-51 with nine-seconds to play.

Dikemba Amugo scored with two-seconds left to provide the final score of 56-53.

Cooley and Joshua Davis, who led Lincoln with 16 points and 10 rebounds, combined to make 15-of-16 free-throws in the second half for the Lions.

Lincoln jumped out to a 9-4 lead, after a five minute scoreless drought, Duncan scored four points and Khaalis Carter nailed a three-point shot to put the Wolves ahead, for the first time in the game, 11-10 with 7:34 left in the half.

The contest seesawed back and forth with Lincoln holding a 15-13 lead with 5:19 left in the half.
Mullen scored to tie the game and ignite an eight point run to give Cheyney its largest lead of the night at 21-15 at the 3:54 mark.

Bailey put the Wolves ahead with back to back layups, with assists from Dominique Davis, and Davis capped the run with a layup of his own.

Cheyney held a 26-24 lead heading into half-time, with Mullen and Bailey each scoring six points to lead the way.

There were eight lead changes and five ties in the game.

Cheyney will look to get back in the win column on Friday night when it hosts California, Pa., from the PSAC West, at 7:30 p.m. inside Alfred Cope Hall.