Harrogate, TN - The Lincoln Memorial men's basketball team played host to the #14 North Georgia Nighthawks on Tuesday afternoon in an out-of-conference match up. North Georgia came into the game with a record of 8-1, with no conference games played, and fresh off a win against Mount Olive. Lincoln Memorial was 7-3 prior to the contest with a 2-1 mark in conference play.

The Railsplitters wasted no time in getting out to a quick start against the Nighthawks, jumping out to a quick 12-2 start. Lincoln Memorial's lead grew to 21-9 by the 13:00 mark of the first half. The Railsplitters' largest lead of the first half came at the U12 timeout, as they maintained a 24-11 lead. However, North Georgia began to claw back. On the heels of a 7-0 run, the Nighthawks drew back to within six points, 24-18. The teams continued to trade buckets until North Georgia drew back to within one possession, 36-34, with under two minutes remaining in the first half. Lincoln Memorial closed the first half on a 7-2 run to take a 43-36 lead into the locker room at the half. The Railsplitters limited the Nighthawks to 0-of-9 from beyond the arc in the first half.

To start the second half, North Georgia connected on its first three pointer of the game. Lincoln Memorial was unable to score a bucket for the first 5:15 of the second half, allowing the Nighthawks to take a 50-43 lead. However, the Railsplitters began charging back, regaining the lead at 54-52 with just under 11 minutes left in the game. The teams continued to match one another, trading buckets over the course of the next few minutes. As the score swelled to 62-62, Lincoln Memorial ratcheted up the intensity, going on a 7-2 run, taking a 69-64 lead. The Nighthawks responded with a three pointer to cut the game back to within a possession. The teams continued to trade buckets at time quickly dwindled off the clock. With Lincoln Memorial leading 75-73 with 44.9 seconds remaining, North Georgia connected on 1-of-2 free throws, leaving the score in favor of the Railsplitters, 75-74. With 16.7 seconds left, Lincoln Memorial sank two free throws to take a 77-74 lead. On the ensuing possession, the Railsplitters were called for a shooting foul on a three point attempt, allowing the Nighthawks to step to the line. Going 3-for-3 from the stripe, North Georgia tied the game at 77-77, sending it to overtime.

In overtime, neither team was able to find separation. The score was knotted at 83-83 with 1:10 left in overtime before the Nighthawks took a permanent lead, 85-83. From there, a pair of free throws and a dunk as time expired saw North Georgia defeat Lincoln Memorial 89-83, snapping the Railsplitters national-best 63-game home winning streak. It was the first home loss for Lincoln Memorial since March of 2019.

Me'Kell Burries led the Railsplitters in scoring with 25 points. He was followed by Jordan Walters, who had his best game of the season with 18 points and eight rebounds, shooting 6-of-9 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Martez Brown tallied his sixth double-double of the season, posting a 12 point, 13 rebound performance. Chase Rankin added 12 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. Osmar Garcia-Araujo chipped in eight points. Matthew Sells added four points. Luke Bartemes and Thomas Allard score two points apiece to round out scoring for Lincoln Memorial.

With the loss, the Railsplitters moved to 7-4 on the season. Lincoln Memorial will be back on its home court Dec. 30, hosting Lees-McRae in an out-of-conference match up. Tip-off is slated for 2:00pm.