BROOKLYN, NY – Now that Abraham Lincoln has risen to the number one spot in the NYCHoops.net ranking, the Railsplitters now wear the bulls eye. A thirsty Paul Robeson Eagles team was eager to make a statement on Monday as they hosted the recently crowned kings of the hill. That feat would be a tall order for a depleted team from Crown Heights.

Without its primary offensive threat, Keith Swinton ‘17, out for a month with an ankle sprain, the Eagles were only able to hold off Lincoln for two and a half quarters before succumbing to the defensive pressure of the Railsplitters, resulting in a 65-55 loss.

Lincoln got things poppin’ early as sharpshooter Mike Red ‘17 and Donald Flores ‘17 put up points quick, fast and in a hurry. Robeson was able to counter as Prentice Miller ’18 scored inside. Tied with 5:50 left in the opening quarter, the lead changed hands twice before eventually being knotted going into the second stanza.

Neither team gained a significant upper hand in the first half as the parody in the PSAL Brooklyn Class AA was on full display. The game was unusually close considering Robeson is currently unranked. Jasiah Lewis ‘18 tried to create some separation for Lincoln has be knocked down perimeter shots but bigs Jamohno Phillips ‘18 and Taiquan Benjamin ’18 helped the Eagles dominate the offensive boards for second chance opportunities. Aquarn Butler ’18 was often the benefactor of those scoring bonuses.

Robeson had a chance to take the lead but poor free-throw shooting left the game tied at 27 as the second half began.

Lincoln started the third quarter with turnovers and Robeson pounced on what would be a fleeting opportunity. A put back by Miller gave Robeson a 31 – 29 advantage. That would be the last lead, that the Eagles experienced as a steal by Reid followed by a bucket from Flores along with increased rebounding intensity sparked a 10 – 3 run that put Lincoln up for good. Suddenly down by nine points, the Eagles tried to claw their way out but still ended the quarter with a 5-point deficit.

A scoring burst by Obadiah Chandler ’17 tied the game at 45 with 6:07 remaining in regulation but Reid, Lewis and Flores vaulted Lincoln back out in front by ten points, capped off by a dunk from Kclejuan Ferguson ‘17 to close the show.

“Reid has been playing solid the last couple of games,” said Lincoln Head Coach Dwayne “Tiny” Morton but attributed the evening's struggle jokingly to a venue jinx. "It's hard to play in here. I don't know if I've ever had a good game in here."

Reid and Flores led the charge for Lincoln with 15 points apiece with Lewis pouring in an additional 11 points that included three trifectas. Miller paced Robeson with 15 points with Butler adding 13 points.

Abraham Lincoln remains undefeated at 5 - 0 and 2 - 0 in league play while Paul Robeson falls to 6 - 2 and 2 - 1 in league play.