HARROGATE, Tenn. -- The 23rd-ranked Railsplitters (3-0, 1-0 SAC) hit the road for the first time in the 2014-15 campaign, traveling to Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday, November 22 for a South Atlantic Conference clash with the Queens Royals (1-2, 1-0 SAC). Tip-off in that contest is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Queens' Levine Center.
 
Lincoln Memorial ensured its sixth consecutive 3-0 start as well as its sixth straight win in South Atlantic Conference openers with a hard-earned 79-67 victory over Mars Hill on Wednesday in Harrogate, Tenn. Only three points separated the Railsplitters and Lions with 10:45 remaining in regulation, but senior Lorenza Ross (Savannah, Ga.) carried a 20-8 run, scoring or assisting on 18 of his team's 20 points over that span, that ultimately buried the visiting unit. LMU - the two-time defending SAC regular season champions - knocked off Mars Hill for the 11th straight time.
 
To remain perfect, the Railsplitters must overcome a tall and talented Queens squad. After suffering two narrow losses to Georgia College and Lander in the season-opening weekend, the Royals broke out in a 77-52 thumping of the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears in the SAC opener on Wednesday night. Queens was down 30-25 at the half, but outscored the visiting Bears 52-22 in the second stanza, forcing L-R into more turnovers (10) in the second half than field goals (6). The Royals' length, with six players listed at 6-6 or better, was an obvious factor in the decision as Queens ripped 14 steals in the contest.
 
The Royals are led by junior guard Rob Lewis as he is pouring in 20.3 points and 4.3 assists per game. Lewis heads into Saturday's tilt fresh off of a 32 point outburst in the Royals' dominant win over Lenoir-Rhyne. Junior forward Sean Morgan is pitching in 12 points and six rebounds per game, while junior Marquis Rankin is adding 11 points per appearance. Senior Nkosi Ali, who is the tallest player in the SAC at 7-0, is contributing six points and seven rebounds per contest.
 
Queens' offensive approach runs through the paint as the Royals are shooting at a 51.9 percent clip through their first three games of the season, the second-best mark in the South Atlantic Conference. Only Lincoln Memorial (45) and Carson-Newman (32) have attempted fewer three-pointers than the Royals this season, as Queens is 17-for-48 from long range.
 
The Railsplitters swept the regular season series with Queens last season, but those two victories didn't come easy. Queens led by four midway through the second half in the initial meeting on November 23 before the Railsplitters raced back for a 61-56 win in Harrogate. LMU was limited to a season-low 38.2 percent shooting in that contest. Two months later, the Railsplitters squeaked by in a 72-71 win in Charlotte, N.C. on January 18, rallying from a 12-point, first half deficit. Former All-American Vincent Bailey scored the game-winner in that contest with just 56 seconds left. The 2013-14 campaign was Queens' first as a member of the South Atlantic Conference. 
 
Through three games, sophomore Luquon Choice (Laurens, S.C.) leads the Railsplitters in scoring with 20 points per contest. The reigning South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week is averaging five three-pointers per outing on a gaudy 60 percent clip. Lorenza Ross is adding 17.3 points and 3.7 assists per game, while junior Curtis McMillion (Fayetteville, N.C.) is factoring in 11 points and 4.3 boards per appearance. Junior Tim Pierce (Albany, Ga.) is chipping in 9.7 points and 3.7 assists per outing.
 
The Railsplitters are scoring 81.7 points per game and relinquishing only 67.3, while their 52.4 percent mark from the floor is the best among South Atlantic Conference programs. Lincoln Memorial is outrebounding its opponents by an average of 11.3 boards per game.
 
The Railsplitters and Royals are set for a 4 p.m. tip-off on Saturday, November 22 in Charlotte, N.C. Live stats and a video broadcast will be available for that contest at www.QueensAthletics.com.

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