Last year, Lincoln University nearly won the CIAA men’s title, losing in the finals.

This time, the Lions closed the deal.

Led by MVP Ethan Garila, Lincoln defeated Fayetteville State, 62-57, in Baltimore in front of an ESPNU national audience. Lincoln improved to 17-15.

Fayetteville State won the women’s crown, 64-57, over Elizabeth City with Aniylah Bryant earning MVP honors.

Baltimore is an ideal destination for eating crab cakes, touring the Inner Harbor and National Aquarium or watching the Ravens or Orioles play.

As for playing basketball, Baltimore, also known as “Charm City,” hasn’t been so hot for Virginia Union and Virginia State’s teams.

Playing at CFG Bank Arena, the VUU men won a quarterfinal (versus Bluefield State, 61-55) then lost a 53-51 nail-biter to Fayetteville State in the semifinals. Coach Jay Butler’s young Panthers finished 14-18.

The VUU women lost their opener to Shaw, 55-54, in overtime, finishing 17-12.

The VSU women won their quarterfinal, 51-42, over J.C. Smith but dropped an 86-61 semifinal decision to Fayetteville. The Lady Trojans closed an outstanding season at 23-5.

Coach Lonnie Blow’s men were a first-round 75-69 loser to Claflin and finished at 15-15.