HARROGATE, Tenn. – In an action-packed night, the Lincoln Memorial University men's basketball program got out to a fast start and did not hold back as they went onto capture an 89-64 victory over Erskine on Wednesday night inside of Tex Turner Arena.
 
The Railsplitters (6-1, 3-1 SAC) got hot from the floor early and controlled the lead for the first half, going into the break, up 53-36. Coming out of the break, the Flying Fleet looked to control the Splitter offense, limiting LMU to just 43 percent from the field in the second half, but Lincoln Memorial stayed on top to secure the win over Erskine (0-6, 0-3 CC).
 
Lincoln Memorial dominated the rebounding game with 51 rebounds compared to 36 from the Flying Fleet. Chase Rankin and Martez Brown lead the way on the boards for LMU as they both pulled down 12 rebounds. Recording more than double the assists of Erskine (10), the Railsplitters got the ball around fast and often as they tallied 24 assists in the contest.
 
Opening the contest up on an 8-0 run, Lincoln Memorial control the contest from the opening tip. The Railsplitters pushed their lead further to 13-1, but moments later the Flying Fleet were able to get their first basket of the contest. Lincoln Memorial did not faulter as they pushed their lead to 24-9 going into the under-12-minute media. The Railsplitters held onto the double-digit lead for the remainder of the half to go into the break, up 51-36.
 
Both programs came out of the break trading shots, but an 8-3 run by Lincoln Memorial got them back to a comfortable lead at 70-48. The Flying Fleet did not go away quietly as they tried to mount a comeback, but it was not enough as the Railsplitters were able to connect to keep the contest out of reach for the Fleet, capturing the victory, 89-64.
 
Redshirt sophomore Chase Rankin recorded a career-night for the Railsplitters as he finished with his first career triple-double with a 11 points, a career-high 12 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists. In addition to Rankin;  Me'Kell Burries (18), Diego Platas (14), Jordan Walters (11), Luke Bartemes (11), Matthew Sells (10) and Martez Brown (10) all recorded double-digit affairs. Junior Martez Brown recorded his first double-double as a Railsplitter as he also grabbed 12 rebounds to add to his 10 points.
 
Up Next
 
The Railsplitters will travel to nearby Greeneville, Tennessee for a South Atlantic Conference contest with the Tusculum Pioneers. Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m. in Greeneville.
 
How to Follow

Stay tuned to LMURailsplitters.com, as well as LMU's social media platforms - @LMURailsplitter on Twitter, @LMURailsplitters on Facebook and @lmurailsplitters on Instagram, for complete coverage of Railsplitter basketball throughout the 2021-22 season.