Senior Nazim Derry (Atlantic City, NJ) became the 12th player in team history to reach 1,000 career points, helping Goldey-Beacom hold off a comeback from Lincoln (PA) in an 83-76 victory at the Jones Center in Wilmington, DE.
Lincoln (PA) knew it had to keep its collective eyes on the player who needed just four points for this special milestone. It was not enough as Derry reached it by hitting a free throw with 18 seconds to go in the first half.
For the 2022 first team All-Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference pick, it was part of his 10 points that now gives him 1,006 career.
But enough attention was not focused on shutting down the entire team as the Lightning raced to a 36-25 halftime lead by shooting 43 percent (13-of-30) from the field with sophomore Zayon Marsh (Maplewood, NJ) netting 11 points. The Lions shot just 28 percent (10-of-36) from the floor and were 1-of-8 from three-point range.
Lincoln was in a 74-63 hole with 3 1/2 minutes left before making one final push. Ahmir Moore hit a layup with 2:52 remaining and Manny Toha canned a 3-pointer 20 seconds later for a six-point game.
Junior Ayshion Centeno (Pleasantville, NJ) made two free throws with 2:19 to go for a 76-68 game before Lincoln's Janaie Coates-Sinues hit a layup 16 seconds later for another six-point margin.
Senior Damani Thomas (Kingston, NY) canned two big free throws with 63 seconds left for a 78-70 contest, but Moore kept his squad in it by hitting a 3-pointer eight seconds later for a 78-73 game.
The Lightning made the result a formality by going 5-for-6 from the line the rest of the way with Derry hitting all four attempts. In the end, GBC went 11-for-14 from the charity stripe in the second half and 18-for-23 overall.
The Lightning (5-3) got it done from the floor when it mattered most, shooting 55 percent (16-of-29) from the field for their third straight win and fourth in their last five outings.
Marsh had 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting with eight rebounds, sophomore Caleb Bates (Detroit, MI) scored 13 points, Centeno poured in 12 with Thomas adding 10 and eight rebounds for Goldey-Beacom.
The victory also was the 99th for coach TJ Dekmar, who has manned the Lightning's sidelines since 2016.
Toha netted 20 points, Bakir Cleveland scored 18, with Moore, Freddie Young Jr. and Ethan Garita adding 10 apiece for the Lions (4-6).
Goldey-Beacom on Saturday visits West Chester for a 1:00 pm contest.
