Wingate, NC - Following an emphatic victory to open conference play over Newberry at home last Saturday, the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters were back in action in-conference against the Wingate Bulldogs on Sunday. Although the Railsplitters were coming off of a big conference victory, the Bulldogs were fresh off a loss against Bluefield State and came out swinging.

Wingate jumped out to an 8-4 lead early in the game before Lincoln Memorial regained control, 13-12. The teams traded buckets to knot the score at 18-18 with 13:30 remaining in the first half. The teams continued to match one another as the first half wore on. The Bulldogs eventually regained the lead at 27-26 with 7:37 remaining in the first half. The Wingate lead grew to eight with just under four and a half minutes remaining, 39-31. A 7-3 run saw Lincoln Memorial draw back to within four points by halftime, 42-38.

The Railsplitters shot 56% from the floor in the first half, but with 11 turnovers and seven offensive rebounds allowed, the Bulldogs were able to maintain a slim advantage thanks to 11 points off turnovers and nine second chance points.

The Railsplitters opened the second half outscoring the Bulldogs 9-4 to regain the lead, 47-46. However, a 4:30 minute scoring drought from Lincoln Memorial saw Wingate regain the lead with a 6-0 run of its own, 53-47 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game. The game continued on the same. Wingate maintained a slim 63-62 advantage with just over 4:30 remaining before Lincoln Memorial regained the lead 65-63 with a three from Chase Rankin; his fifth of the game.With the game knotted at 65-65 just moments later, the Bulldogs connected on a free throw to regain the lead 66-65 with 3:44 on the clock.

Going strong to the basket, Osmar Garcia-Araujo was fouled. He subsequently stepped to the stripe, connecting on 1-of-2 free throws, tying the game yet again at 66-66 with under two minutes remaining. With 90 seconds remaining in the game, the Bulldogs connected on a contested three pointer, regaining the lead 69-66. It was the 10th lead change of the game. On the ensuing possession, Wingate connected on another three pointer, extending the lead to six points, 72-66. A jump ball saw the Bulldogs assume possession with a six point lead. A foul call sent Wingate to the charity stripe, allowing the Bulldogs to extend the lead to 74-66 with just 30 seconds remaining. A pair of free throws from Martez Brown in the final seconds brought the score to 74-70 in favor of the home standing Bulldogs. However, in an attempt to preserve as much clock as possible, the Railsplitters immediately fouled on the in-bounds. The Bulldogs stepped to the line, connecting on both free throws, securing a 76-73 victory.

Chase Rankin led Lincoln Memorial with 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. He was followed by Martez Brown, who tallied yet another double-double, with 16 points and 18 rebounds. Osmar Garcia-Araujo added 11 points and three rebounds. Me'Kell Burries chipped in 10 points and two rebounds. Matthew Sells and Jordan Walters added seven points apiece, and Luke Bartemes chipped in three points to round out scoring for the Railsplitters.

With the loss, Lincoln Memorial moves to 6-3 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. The Railsplitters will be back in action on the road at Limestone on Dec. 16 before returning home for a match up with North Georgia on Dec. 19th.