Harrogate, TN -- Lincoln Memorial University men's basketball returns to South Atlantic Conference play with a home matchup against Emory & Henry, as the Railsplitters and Wasps meet in a key early-season league contest.
Lincoln Memorial enters the game with a 5-4 overall record and a 2-2 mark in conference play. Emory & Henry comes in at 6-3 on the season, also sitting at 2-2 in the SAC, setting the stage for an evenly matched battle with conference positioning on the line.
The Railsplitters have showcased a balanced offensive attack through the first nine games, averaging 87.4 points per contest while shooting 48.4 percent from the floor. EJ Smith has been one of Lincoln Memorial's most consistent scorers, leading the team with 12.0 points per game while shooting just under 50 percent from the field. Smith has also contributed across the stat sheet with solid rebounding and defensive production.
Yassin Hussein has been a force inside, averaging 10.8 points and a team-best 5.9 rebounds per game. Hussein's efficiency has stood out, as he is converting better than 60 percent of his field-goal attempts, giving Lincoln Memorial a reliable presence in the paint on both ends of the floor.
Perimeter scoring has been fueled by Jayden Spearman, who is averaging 10.2 points per game and shooting nearly 40 percent from three-point range. Nate Mims has added 9.8 points per contest while attacking the basket and getting to the free-throw line, and Walter Campbell has chipped in 9.3 points per game while pulling down 4.6 rebounds per outing.
Drew Lewis has played a key role as a facilitator and scorer, averaging 9.2 points while leading the team in assists, and Emmanuel James has provided strong interior defense and rebounding, averaging 4.1 boards per game with a team-high 18 blocks.
As a team, Lincoln Memorial has controlled the glass, outrebounding opponents by more than four rebounds per game, and has used its depth to generate offense from multiple positions. The Railsplitters will look to continue that trend against an Emory & Henry squad that enters the contest with similar conference credentials.
Tip-off marks an important SAC matchup as both teams aim to gain momentum in league play and strengthen their standing in the conference race. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 PM in Tex Turner Arena Wednesday night.Â