HARROGATE, Tenn. -- As the end of the year approaches, the Lincoln Memorial University athletics department is counting down the top 20 moments of 2015. The men's basketball team makes its second consecutive appearance and third total in the countdown at No. 3 with arguably the most dramatic (and longest) win in program history.
 
The 15th-ranked Railsplitters traveled to Hickory, N.C. to face the undefeated Lenoir-Rhyne Bears on December 2 in a highly anticipated, early-season South Atlantic Conference clash.
 
Lincoln Memorial entered that contest having won 10 straight against the Bears, and only one of those wins was decided by fewer than nine points. But this time was much, much different, as the Railsplitters needed four overtimes and countless individual heroics to capture a 123-122 win.
 
The Railsplitters led by 15 points at the half and built their lead to 56-36 on a three-pointer by Jalen Steele (Knoxville, Tenn.) with 17:50 to play. But a three by Will Perry completed a 44-20 run for Lenoir-Rhyne and gave the Bears an 80-76 advantage with 1:09 left. The Railsplitters continued to trail until Gerel Simmons (Accokeek, Md.) buried the game-tying triple from the left wing with 12 seconds left to send the game to the first of four overtimes.
 
Each of the four overtimes felt like a game in and of itself, with drama unfolding at every turn.
 
The Railsplitters led by four in the first overtime but found themselves trailing 91-89 after an L-R three-pointer with 40 seconds left. Luquon Choice (Laurens, S.C.) played the hero this time around, though, driving to the cup and tying the game at 91-91 on LMU's last possession of the period.
 
Lincoln Memorial jumped in front 100-95 in the second overtime until Will Perry fueled an 8-3 run all by his lonesome, capped by a game-tying jumper with four seconds left, to force a third overtime.
 
The lead went back and forth in the third OT, with Lenoir-Rhyne grabbing a 113-111 edge on a layup by Darrion Evans with a minute left. Simmons tied the game again on the next LMU possession by converting two free throws. Neither team scored after that, sending the game to yet another overtime.
 
The Railsplitters once again took the early lead in the fourth overtime, storming in front 119-113 with three minutes left. But a miracle three-pointer from Reed Lucas put the Bears ahead 122-121 with a mere 18 seconds left. Without a timeout to spare, the Railsplitters raced down the court and got the ball to Simmons, who drove into the paint and knocked down an eight-foot runner to send the Railsplitters home with a 123-122 win.
 
Simmons had 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Dorian Pinson (Greenville, S.C.) racked up 29 points and 20 boards in 49 minutes of action. Choice had 21 points and eight boards.
 
Will Perry led Lenoir-Rhyne with 41 points and seven three-pointers.
 
It marked the first four-overtime game in the history of the LMU men's hoops program, as the Railsplitters registered the fourth-most field goals (46) and rebounds (62) in the program's single-game history.
 
To read a complete recap of LMU and Lenoir-Rhyne's instant classic, click here.
 
The top 20 moments countdown continues on Wednesday with moment No. 2. 

Relive the top 20 moments of 2015
No. 20 - Senior Day Surprise
No. 19 - Doubles Dominance
No. 18 - SAC Cross Country Championship Comes to Town
No. 17 - Elliott Shines in SAC Track and Field Championship
No. 16 - Baseball Takes Two from Carson-Newman in Dramatic Fashion
No. 15 - Vasilyeva Wins 10th Straight Singles Match
No. 14 - 4x400 Relay Team Takes Second in SAC Championship
No. 13 - Volleyball Sweeps Carson-Newman Behind Electric Mary Mars Crowd
No. 12 - Elliott's Big Day at Furman Classic
No. 11 - Women's Lacrosse Notches First Win
No. 10 - Lowe Slams Three Home Runs
No. 9 - Men's Lacrosse Wins Big in Home Debut
No. 8 - Railsplitters Clinch 3rd Straight SAC Title in Dominant Fashion
No. 7 - Lady Railsplitters Beat No. 20 Carson-Newman on Last-Second Jumper
No. 6 - Galyon Grabs SAC Player of the Year Honor
No. 5 - Lindsay Davis Wins SAC Championship
No. 4 - Men's Basketball Hosts NCAA Tournament, Blasts North Greenville