HARROGATE, Tenn. – The No. 8 Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters (22-3, 19-3 SAC) battled and fought with the Pioneers of Tusculum (14-7, 14-5 SAC), and captured their 43^rd consecutive home win after defeating the Pioneers on Senior Night in Tex Turner Arena.
 
The Railsplitters got out to a quick start jumping out to a 7-4 lead early over the Pioneers, but Tusculum made quick work, pulling to within two just moments later. Using a quick 7-2 run, Lincoln Memorial was able to increase their lead to 19-11. The Pioneers did not go away quietly as they closed the Splitter lead to three. Coming out of the under-12-minute media timeout, the Railsplitters found some separation after keeping the Pioneer offense quiet for nearly five minutes as LMU led 31-18 at the 8:12 mark in the first. Lincoln Memorial went onto hang onto their double-digit lead at the halftime break, 45-32.
 
The Pioneers found a grove to begin the second half as they cut the Railsplitter lead to six at the 17:16 mark, keeping the contest close over the next several minutes until Lincoln Memorial used a 7-2 run starting at the 13:38 mark to push their lead to 63-49. Both teams came to a stalemate halfway through the half.
 
Coming into the home stretch of the contest, the game became a classic battle between rivals as Tusculum was able to cut the Splitter lead back down to single digits at the 6:43 mark before Lincoln Memorial was able to push back. The Pioneers nearly completed the comeback as they got as close as four points off the lead, but the Railsplitters were able to hold on to complete the season sweep over Tusculum, 95-89.
 
Redshirt sophomore Chase Rankin paced the Railsplitters in the win with a career-high 25 points after shooting 7-of-11 from the field and going 9-for-10 at the free throw line. The Columbus, Ohio native also led the Splitter defense with eight rebounds. Me'Kell Burries followed with 22 points on 8-of-8 shooting with six rebounds and four assists.
 
Up Next
 
The Railsplitters will close out the regular season with a two-game road stand beginning on Wednesday, February 23 when they make the return trip to Carson-Newman with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. Last time out, Lincoln Memorial captured a 73-57 win over the Eagles on Jan. 26.
 
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