AUGUSTA, Ga. – Despite a second half surge, the No. 12 Lincoln Memorial University men's basketball season saw their season come to a close in the NCAA Southeast Regional after suffering a defeat to No. 4 Queens, 81-76, on Sunday evening.
The Railsplitters got out to a slow start, but the Blue and Gray offense started flowing as LMU trailed by just three at the first media timeout of the contest, 15-12, to the Royals. It did not last long as Queens found a grove of their own, using a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 22-13 before a three-pointer from
Matthew Sells ended the run.
Queens kept up their high offensive pressure in the first, but Lincoln Memorial had other ideas as the Blue and Gray offense was able to keep in the contest. The Railsplitters went onto even things up at 30 all behind a three-point from
Alex Dahling. The Royals were able to hold on as the took the lead into the half, 43-38.
The Railsplitters looked hot coming out of the break, immediately reducing the Queens lead to four, but the Royals were able to recreate the room of separation. Lincoln Memorial was able to take the lead at the 13:26 mark, but moments later the Royals tied the game up at 59 before retaking the lead with a 7-0 run, 69-62.
With under five minutes remaining, the contest came to a battle as the Railsplitters were able to close in on the Queens' lead, but Kenny Dye was able to put the Royals back ahead by five, 73-68. With 2:08 on the clock,
Jordan Walters was able to spin in the inside and put the fancy layup in to bring the Queens' lead to 75-73, but moments later, Dahling was pulled up and knocked down the three-pointer to put the Railsplitters within one, but a late foul by LMU put the Royals at the line to seal the win for Queens, 81-76.
Junior
Jordan Guest finished the evening leading LMU scorers with 19 points after shooting 7-of-12 from the field.
Alex Dahling, who is now tied for the most games played in NCAA Division II history with 146 appearances, tallied 16 points and six rebounds in the affair.
The Railsplitters finish the 2021-22 campaign with a 26-5 overall record and going 21-3 in conference play to finish as the South Atlantic Conference Regular Season Champions while placing four on the All-Conference teams, one on the All-Freshman team and South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year.
