Raleigh, NC – In a game of runs and lead changes, the Lincoln University Lions used a late run in the second half to break a late tie and secure a 96-90 road win Thursday night inside of C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium.

The Shaw (10-9, 7-8 CIAA) offense was clicking early as the Bears went ahead 16-8 early with the help of three quick three-pointers from Justus Baldwin forcing a Lincoln (17-9,10-5 CIAA) timeout with 16:44 left in the half.  The Lions answered with a run to cut the Shaw lead to 18-17 before Brandon Faison ended the Lincoln run with a three-pointer. The Bears pushed back ahead 23-18 before Lincoln tied the game at 23 all out of the 10-minute media timeout.

The lead changed hands three different times before the Lions went ahead 33-30 with 6:34 left in the first half. Michael Armstrong tied the game once again at 33 with a three-point play. Back-to-back three-point baskets from Faison and Jason Robinson put Shaw back in front 39-34.  The score was again tied at 40-40 with just over three minutes remaining before the break. Jason Robinson's three with 1:30 on the clock gave Shaw a 45-44 lead before the Bears closed the half on a 5-0 run to make the score 50-44 at halftime.

Shaw scored four quick points out of the half to go ahead 54-46. A quick response from the Lions cut the Bears lead to 56-53 before a fast-break dunk from Corey Rutherford put Shaw ahead five. On cue with the rest of the game, Lincoln responded with a run to take a 68-64 lead with just over 13 minutes left in the game. It was the Bears turn for a run as Shaw went back in front 71-70 as Robinson added a three beating the shot clock with 10:40 left in regulation. Both teams traded baskets for the next stretch of play with Lincoln holding a 77-74 lead at the 6:23 mark.

The Lions lead grew to six before the Bears trimmed their deficit to 82-79 with 4:58 left to play. Lincoln used a small burst to go ahead 87-81 with 2:48 to go. The Bears came up empty on their last few possessions resulting in free throws for Lincoln which helped ice the game allowing the Lions to escape with the 96-90 win.

Faison led Shaw in scoring with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists coming close to a triple-double. Baldwin followed with 14 points while Simmons and Robinson added 12 each.

The Bears return to Spaulding Gymnasium Saturday, February 19 to close out the regular season while celebrating senior day as Shaw host Virginia Union University. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.