HARROGATE, Tenn. – Coming off of the most prolific scoring performance in the history of the South Atlantic Conference, the No. 4 Railsplitters (9-0, 3-0 SAC) will strive for a 10-0 start when they try to hand Wingate (4-5, 2-0 SAC) its first conference loss of the season on Wednesday night at Tex Turner Arena.
 
Lincoln Memorial left nearly every offensive record in tatters in one of the most memorable regular-season games in recent history against Mars Hill on Monday night in Harrogate. The Railsplitters shattered the SAC and program scoring record as well as the league and school record for three-pointers, going an ungodly 30-for-43 from deep in a 156-69 win over the Lions. In addition to that, LMU broke the program record for field-goal percentage by shooting 73.4 percent and also finished just one assist shy of matching the SAC record with 36 in the game.
 
The 87-point margin of victory, which was paced by the highest scoring half (86) and most prolific first half in program history (70), is far and away the largest point spread between two SAC teams in league history.
 
The 156 points were the most scored by an NCAA Division II team since Simon Fraser racked up 161 points against Capilano University on December 16, 2014.
 
Eight players registered double figures for the Railsplitters, but the night belonged to senior guard Trevon Shaw, who continued to shoot the ball at an otherworldly pace. Shaw went an absurd 11-for-13 from three-point territory to break the program record for three-pointers and score a career-high 35 points. After that record-breaking outburst, Shaw has now buried 51 three-pointers through nine games this season on a gaudy 52.6 percent clip. The St. Helena Island, S.C. native leads the nation in total three-pointers and three-pointers per game with 5.67. 
 
In the fallout from that win over Mars Hill, the Railsplitters are now ranked first nationally in field-goal percentage and scoring margin. In addition to that, Lincoln Memorial is second in field-goal percentage defense and assist-to-turnover ratio and third in assists per game.
 
It was a night unlike any other at Tex Turner Arena, but the Railsplitters must quickly put that game behind them and refocus for another conference matchup against a dangerous and perplexing Wingate team. 
 
The new-look Bulldogs picked up a signature win early in the season with a 71-68 victory against previously-unbeaten UNC Pembroke. However, Wingate followed that up with a four-game losing streak that included losses to 3-6 Fayetteville State and 4-5 Embry-Riddle. The Bulldogs have since snapped that streak and started 2-0 in SAC play with wins over Newberry and Mars Hill.
 
Wingate is returning to the court following a long layoff, as the Bulldogs have not played since beating Mars Hill 74-52 on December 2.
 
Wingate lost five of its top six scorers and 64 combined points per game off of last season's team that finished 20-11 overall and earned a bid to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional. With that in mind, it's no surprise that the Bulldogs have struggled on offense, averaging a SAC-worst 66 points and 23.4 made field goals per game. Wingate's 41 percent shooting is the second-lowest mark in the conference.
 
The Bulldogs are still a sturdy defensive unit, though that might be a product of pace instead of efficiency. Wingate, who records the second-fewest shot attempts per game in the league, is allowing the third-fewest points per game in the SAC with 68.7 even though opponents are shooting nearly 45 percent on the season.
 
Junior guard Marco Haskins is leading the Bulldogs with 13.8 points per game to go along with 5.4 rebounds per appearance. The only top-seven scorer returning to the lineup for Wingate this season, senior guard Zeriq Lolar is pitching in 12.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Neico Robinson (9.1ppg, 3.2rpg), Kerigan Farley (8.9ppg, 5.4apg) and Devarious Christian (7.9ppg, 7.9rpg) are also regular contributors for the Bulldogs.
 
The Railsplitters, who are trying to start 10-0 for the fourth time in 10 seasons under head coach Josh Schertz, are 20-9 all-time against Wingate and have won the last 10 head-to-head meetings. Lincoln Memorial swept the regular-season series last season, winning 97-87 at home and 84-72 on the road.
 
Lincoln Memorial has yet to lose to Wingate at Tex Turner Arena during Schertz's tenure. The Bulldogs' last win in Harrogate came in February 2008, the season before Schertz's arrival at LMU. All told, the Railsplitters are 11-2 against the Bulldogs at home.
 
Tip-off between LMU and Wingate is set for 8 p.m. on Wednesday night. Live stats and video links are available at www.lmurailsplitters.com. Fans can listen along with Voice of the Railsplitters Rusty Peace at WLMU 91.3 The Gap.
 
Quick Hits
 
- The Bulldogs average a SAC-low 21.7 defensive rebounds per game and are ranked eighth in rebounding margin. On the flipside, Lincoln Memorial leads the nation in defensive rebounds per game and is ranked sixth nationally in rebounding margin.
 
- The Railsplitters have won 14 consecutive games at Tex Turner Arena. Since the start of the 2015-16 campaign, Lincoln Memorial has won 35 of its last 36 home games.
 
- Wingate has combined for 18 blocks through its first two SAC games. The Bulldogs had a season-high 12 against Mars Hill after posting six against Newberry. Christian (13) and Robinson (11) have combined for 24 of the team's 37 blocks.
 
- In last season's home meeting, Wingate led by as many as 10 points in the first half, but Luquon Choice went bonkers in a 36-point performance to lead the Railsplitters to a 97-87 victory. Cornelius Taylor also pitched in 21 points in that win.
 
- Emanuel Terry has sat out the last two games but his return to the lineup is imminent. The 6-9 senior center is averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds per game on 70 percent shooting.