HARROGATE, Tenn. -- The fifth-ranked Railsplitters (22-1, 16-1 SAC) vie for their third consecutive outright South Atlantic Conference regular season title as the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (8-13, 6-11 SAC) pay a visit to Tex Turner Arena for a 4 p.m. tip on Saturday afternoon. In conjunction with Saturday's contest, Lincoln Memorial University will be hosting its annual Play 4Kay game to raise money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
 
In the wake of Lincoln Memorial's win at Tusculum and Queens' loss at Wingate on Wednesday, the Railsplitters are guaranteed at least a share of a fourth regular season championship in the past five seasons. It would require a collapse without precedent in the Josh Schertz era to finish the regular season as co-champions, while a win on Saturday afternoon or losses by both Queens and Wingate would solidify the Railsplitters as the sole SAC champion.
 
History is in the Railsplitters' favor to close the deal this weekend. Since Josh Schertz inherited the program prior to the 2008-09 campaign, Lincoln Memorial has never dropped back-to-back games at Tex Turner Arena. Over the past five seasons, the Railsplitters are 71-6 in Harrogate. On top of that, Lenoir-Rhyne has not beaten the Railsplitters since the 2009-10 campaign, falling in the last nine head-to-head meetings against LMU over that span.
 
It was a grind, but the Railsplitters found a way to win in their first encounter with Lenoir-Rhyne this season, eeking out a 67-55 victory in Hickory, N.C. on January 3. The Bears outrebounded the Railsplitters 34-29 in that contest, becoming the first team to accomplish that feat since UNC Pembroke did it in the opening round of the 2013 NCAA Southeast Regional. Lincoln Memorial shot just 42.6 percent and went 5-for-18 from long range, but connected on 22 of its 27 free throw attempts. Luquon Choice (Laurens, S.C.) poured in 16 points, while Gerel Simmons (Accokeek, Md.) and Lorenza Ross (Savannah, Ga.) scored 10 points apiece.
 
Lenoir-Rhyne's style is predicated on muddying up the game and slowing down opposing offenses by switching up defensive schemes on the fly. John Lentz's team ranks last in the South Atlantic Conference in points per game (65.3) and second-to-last in field goal attempts per game (51.4). Only Brevard gets to the free throw line less than Lenoir-Rhyne, who is averaging just 18.3 attempts per game. Opponents are scoring 69.2 points per game on 40.8 percent shooting, which trails only the Railsplitters for the SAC lead and ranks 29th in the nation in field goal percentage defense.
 
The Bears have been in a full-blown tailspin since dismantling Anderson on January 17, though, dropping six of their last seven games. Most recently, Lenoir-Rhyne suffered an 81-66 setback at Newberry on Wednesday night. Star guard Will Perry poured in 25 points in that loss, but no other player accounted for more than nine points for the Bears.
 
Perry has been the one consistent force in the Bears' rotation, reaching double figures in 14 of his 21 appearances this season including seven performances with at least 20 points. He hung a season-high 37 points on Anderson back on November 22. Perry is averaging 16 points per game on a 41.1 percent mark from three-point range.
 
Rob Noyes is nearly averaging a double-double in support of Perry, pitching in 11.3 points and a team-leading 8.8 rebounds per game. The junior forward is converting 56.5 percent of his field goal attempts. Freshman Reed Lucas is the only other player for L-R contributing more than eight points per game. He is scoring nine points per with a 46.7 percent mark from deep.
 
The Railsplitters completely dismantled the Bears in last season's meeting at Tex Turner, shooting 54 percent from the field in an 84-60 win. Choice scored 20 points with four three-pointers, Ross finished with 10 points and three assists, and Curtis McMillion (Fayetteville, N.C.) accumulated 10 points in only 16 minutes off the bench.
 
Lincoln Memorial's stretch of four SAC regular season titles in five seasons is unlike anything in the history of the league. Since the South Atlantic Conference began sponsoring basketball for the 1989-90 season, no program has won three straight league championships, much less four in five seasons. Ironically, Lenoir-Rhyne is the only school with a comparable stretch - the Bears captured three regular season titles from 2002-06.
 
Fans are encouraged to wear pink to Tex Turner Arena on Saturday in coordination with the Play 4Kay game, an annual nationwide initiative aimed at raising funds for the fight against women's cancers. Donations will be accepted throughout the afternoon. The game will begin with a ceremonial tip-off using a pink ball autographed by the Railsplitters. Fans can bid on that ball with all of the proceeds directly benefitting the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Local cancer survivors will be honored at halftime of the men's game.
 
Tip-off between the Railsplitters and Bears is set for 4 p.m. on Saturday. Live stats and an HD video broadcast will be accessible through www.LMURailsplitters.com, while fans can also listen along live from Tex Turner with Voice of the Railsplitters Rusty Peace at WLMU 91.3 the Gap.

Live Stat
Video
Audio