AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Lincoln Memorial men's basketball team triumphed over USC Aiken 89-83 in the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship game on Tuesday night at Christenberry Fieldhouse to advance to the Elite Eight.
 
The No. 3 seed Railsplitters (30-4) survived a partisan crowd and strong rally by the No. 4 seed Pacers (24-9) late in the second half with clutch free throw shooting, making 20 of their 21 at the line in the second period to hold on for the win and cut down the nets.
 
After trailing by as many as 16 points at 75-59 as late as the 3:54 mark, USC Aiken fought back to get within two at 85-83 and 35 seconds to go. Lincoln Memorial point guard Chase Rankin, however, salted the game away going 4-for-4 at the foul line in the closing seconds.
 
Lincoln Memorial rode hot first half shooting (17-33 from the field including 9-16 on 3-pointers) to a 44-37 lead at the break. The Pacers would tie the score at 46-46 then later at 50-50 with 16:02 to go, but the Railsplitters clamped down on defense for the next 10+ minutes, allowing only seven points in that stretch for a 23-7 scoring run and 73-57 advantage at the 5:35 mark before USC Aiken made its comeback.
 
Quay Kennedy was named the Southeast Regional Most Outstanding Player, stuffing the stat sheet with 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks in the championship game. Rankin went for a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double with six assists, two steals and two blocks.
 
Shooting guards Me'Kell Burries (15 points, five rebounds) and Luke Bartemes (14 points, five rebounds) hit crucial second half 3-pointers and provided a scoring punch off the bench for Lincoln Memorial. Matthew Sells was the fifth Railsplitter in double figures, as he went for 11 points and three rebounds.
 
USC Aiken got a game high 34 points out of Jalen McCoy, but the team was limited to 38.3 percent (31-81) shooting from the field and 32.1 percent (9-28) on 3-pointers by the Lincoln Memorial defense. The Railsplitters shot 48.3 percent (28-58) on field goals, 44.4 percent (12-27) on 3-pointers an 95.5 percent (21-22) on free throws in the potent postseason shooting performance.
 
The Railsplitters advance to the Elite Eight, which will take place on Tuesday, March 21 in Evansville, Ind.    
 
Who Brought the Juice Player of the Game
Sponsored by The Juice Spot
Chase Rankin