Newberry, SC - The 14th-ranked Lincoln Memorial men's basketball team was back in action on Saturday seeking its fifth consecutive conference win of the season on the road at Newberry. The Railsplitters led narrowly at halftime thanks to the Wolves' success on the offensive glass. However, a quick start to the second half allowed the Railsplitters to weather a late push from the Wolves and propelled Lincoln Memorial to inevitably secure its fifth consecutive conference victory of the season, 74-70.
Lincoln Memorial held the lead for 75% of the first half, with home standing Newberry leading for only 19-seconds in the first half. The Railsplitters blistered the nets on 61.5% shooting from the floor, including a 50% mark from long range, connecting on a trio of three pointers in the opening half. The Wolves were able to stay in the game thanks to success on the offensive glass and forcing Lincoln Memorial into eight first half turnovers. The Railsplitters maintained a slim 38-35 lead at the half.
Lincoln Memorial started the second half with the pedal to the metal, going on a 12-2 run in the opening minutes of the back half, taking a 53-40 lead, its largest of the game to that point. Newberry answered back with an 8-5 run to cut the lead back to within single digits at 55-48 with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game. Both offenses hit a slump over the next five minutes, allowing the Wolves to battle back to within one point, 60-59, with under seven minutes left in the game. The teams traded the lead multiple times over the closing minutes of the contest.
Newberry regained the lead for only the second time of the game at 61-60, but the lead was short-lived as the Railsplitters went back out in front on the following possession 62-61. The lead once again changed hands as the Wolves connected on a three point basket to take their largest lead of the game, 64-62 with under five minutes left in the game. Lincoln Memorial regained the advantage 65-64 as the clock crept down to three minutes of game time remaining. The teams passed the lead off two more times before a pair of free throws from
Wes Enis put Lincoln Memorial in front 70-68 with two minutes left in the game. Newberry knotted the game at 70-70 with just 90-seconds remaining. The clock crept down to just 30-seconds remaining with the Railsplitters maintaining possession.
Wes Enis drove to the cup and connected on the go-ahead layup in the closing seconds of the game. A missed shot from Newberry and rebound by the Railsplitters saw
Connor Jordan step to the line and connect on a pair from the charity stripe as the clock hit zero, giving Lincoln Memorial its fifth straight conference victory of the season 74-70.
Wes Enis led the Railsplitters in scoring with 27 points he also added five rebounds. He was followed by
Elyjah Freeman with 12 points and a team-high six rebounds.
EJ Smith added 11 points, three assists, and three rebounds.
Osmar Garcia-Araujo and
Jordan Walters added eight points and five rebounds apiece.
Thomas Allard added four points and four rebounds.
Connor Jordan and
Ngundeng Ruey added two points each to round out scoring for Lincoln Memorial.
With the victory, the Railsplitters improved to 7-1 on the season with a 5-0 mark in conference play.
