Harrogate, TN - Following a top 10 win at home against UNC-Pembroke last Friday, the Lincoln Memorial men's basketball team is back on the road versus Alabama-Huntsville on Friday in the Bill Penney Crossover Classic in Huntsville. The Railsplitters are seeking retribution for a Nov. 2022 loss in which the Chargers used a strong first half to escape with an 83-81 victory at a neutral site in Lakeland, FL.

This will be the fourth meeting all-time between the teams with the series slightly favoring Alabama-Huntsville. Nov. of 2016 was the first time the two met on the hardwood at a neutral site in Evansville, IN in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. Then-ranked No.5 Alabama-Huntsville defeated then-ranked No.2 Lincoln Memorial 91-67. It was the Railsplitters worst loss since 2008. However, four years later in the next meeting, No.2 Lincoln Memorial got its retribution, defeating No.11 Alabama-Huntsville in convincing fashion, 93-68. Last year's contest was much closer than the two prior, with the game going down-to-the-wire, seeing the Chargers eek out a slim 83-81 victory.

Just like in years past, this game will feature two top 25 teams. The Railsplitters remain 6th in the NABC Coaches Poll, while the Chargers rest at 23rd on the list. Lincoln Memorial was also ranked 5th in the D2CSC poll, while UAH was receiving votes as well.

On the season, Chase Rankin is leading the Railsplitters averaging 17.3 points-per-game. He also leads the team in assists and steals. Me'Kell Burries is averaging 16 points-per-game himself, connecting on an astonishing 58% of his shots from long range (10-of-17 on the season.) Martez Brown is currently averaging a double-double with 10.3 points-per-game and 10 rebounds-per-game. Freshman Jay Boyd is on the cusp of averaging double figures in points-per-game as well with 9.7 per-game.

For the Chargers, guard Tommy Murr is leading the team in scoring with 18 points-per-game. At 6'1'', he is also a very good rebounder, averaging nearly seven rebounds-per-game. Guard Luke Burnett is the team's second leading scorer, averaging 17 points-per-game. He is also the team's leading three point shooter, with nine threes made this season. Guard Auston Leslie is Alabama-Huntsville's only other player that averages double digit scoring, posting an average of 11.5 points-per-game. By percentage, he is the team's biggest threat from beyond the arc, connecting on 5-of-8 shots from deep this season.

WHERE TO WATCH BILL PENNEY CROSSOVER CLASSIC:
https://www.flohoops.com/live/86786   (Vs Alabama-Huntsville)
https://www.flohoops.com/live/86795   (Vs West Alabama, Sunday)