Johnson C. Smith Stuns Lincoln (PA) at the Buzzer in Women’s Basketball Thriller at the Chase Fieldhouse

December 7, 2025 – Wilmington, DE
In front of a lively crowd of over 1,000 fans at the Philadelphia 76ers G-League Affiliate arena, the Chase Fieldhouse, the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls pulled off a dramatic 50–49 buzzer-beater win over Lincoln University (PA).
The electric atmosphere set the stage for what became one of the most exciting finishes of the early CIAA women’s basketball season.

A Tight, Defensive Battle All Afternoon

Both teams brought physical, defense-first energy from the jump. The Golden Bulls held a slim 11–10 first-quarter lead, as both offenses worked to find rhythm against tough half-court pressure.

Lincoln leaned on its standout guard Kaziah Akinniyi, who kept the Lions within striking distance early and ultimately finished with a game-high 18 points.

Golden Bulls Grind Out First-Half Advantage

By halftime, Johnson C. Smith held a 24–20 lead thanks to their aggressiveness on the glass and steady scoring:

• La’Niya Simes – 17 points & 12 rebounds

• Tameia Shaw – 12 points, strong perimeter defense

• Salote Franklin – 7 points, 10 rebounds

The rebounding battle helped the Golden Bulls control the first 20 minutes.

Lincoln’s Third-Quarter Surge

The Lions came roaring back in the third quarter, outscoring Johnson C. Smith 16–13 behind improved ball movement and paint touches.

Riley Holliday’s 11 rebounds and the playmaking of Gibson and Burgess kept Lincoln within one possession heading into the fourth.

The Chase Fieldhouse crowd—packed with Lincoln supporters—began to swell with energy as the Lions closed the gap.

Fourth Quarter: Every Possession Matters

The final 10 minutes were a grind. Lincoln found success at the free-throw line, hitting 7 of 10 in the quarter, while Johnson C. Smith leaned on its defense and interior toughness.

With under 10 seconds left, Lincoln held a 49–48 lead, needing just one final stop.

But the Golden Bulls had other plans.

The Buzzer-Beater That Shocked the Building

Johnson C. Smith inbounded the ball with just seconds remaining. After a quick attack to the right side of the lane, La’Niya Simes got a clean look and banked in a short floater as the buzzer sounded.

The ball dropped through the net, silencing the Lincoln crowd and sending the Golden Bulls bench into a celebration sprint onto the court.

Lincoln’s players could only watch as the officials confirmed the shot counted.

Final Score – Women’s Basketball

Johnson C. Smith University 50
Lincoln University (PA) 49

The loss drops Lincoln to 1–7 (0–1 CIAA), while Johnson C. Smith improves to 3–3 (1–1 CIAA) in early conference play.