Harrogate, TN - With one game remaining in the 2023 calander year, a home stand against Lees-McRae, the Lincoln Memorial men's basketball team was seeking to start a new streak after losing its national-best 63-game home winning streak in the prior game to No. 14 North Georgia.
It was evident from the beginning of the game that the Railsplitters had intentions of putting pedal to metal and never relenting. Lincoln Memorial began the game on a 7-0 run before Lees-McRae tallied its first basket with nearly four minutes gone off the clock. From there, Lincoln Memorial dominated the game, never relinquishing the lead to the Bobcats. By the half, the Railsplitters led 53-41. Freshman
Wes Enis, who graduated high school in December and joined the team early, made his LMU debut against Lees-McRae, leading Lincoln Memorial in scoring.
Lincoln Memorial shot a blistering 61% from the floor in the first half, including a 40% mark from long range, and a 79% mark from the charity stripe. The Bobcats posted a 40.5% mark from the floor, with a 43.8% mark from long range, and a 100% mark (4-of-4) from the free throw line in the first half.
Things cooled down in the second half for the Railsplitters as they simmered down to a 36.4% mark in the second half, including a 36.8% mark from deep. Although Lees-McRae never laid over, and even battled back to within single digits in the second half, Lincoln Memorial was able to maintain its lead, never relenting, completing the 93-80 victory to work its way back into the win column ahead of the new year.
Freshman
Wes Enis led the Railsplitters in scoring in his debut with 19 points. He was followed by
Martez Brown, who nearly posted a triple-double, with 17 points, 17 rebounds, and eight assists. It was his sixth double-double of the season.
Jordan Walters played another well-rounded game with 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Me'Kell Burries followed with 12 points.
Jay Boyd added 11 points as the final player to score in double figures.
Matthew Sells added eight points.
Chase Rankin added four points and six rebounds.
Osmar Garcia-Araujo and
Thomas Allard added three points each.
Elijah Bredwood added two points to round out scoring for Lincoln Memorial.
With the victory, the Railsplitters improved to 8-4 on the season and will be back at home on Jan. 3rd in conference action against Carson-Newman to begin the new calander year. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 pm.
