Harrogate, TN – The Lincoln Memorial men's basketball team returns to Tex Turner Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 21, hosting conference opponent UVA Wise in a key South Atlantic Conference match up. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
UVA Wise enters the contest with a 14-4 overall record and a 7-3 mark in conference play, sitting near the top of the league standings. Lincoln Memorial comes into Wednesday's match up at 10-6 overall and 6-4 in SACtion, looking to gain momentum as the conference race tightens.
The Railsplitters have relied on a balanced offensive effort throughout the season, averaging 81.5 points per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the field as a team. Jayden Spearman leads Lincoln Memorial in scoring at 10.7 points per game and has been a consistent threat from the perimeter, shooting 38.5 percent from three-point range.
Nate Mims has provided steady production with 10.4 points per game and a team-high 4.3 rebounds per contest, while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. EJ Smith is close behind at 10.3 points per game and has been one of the team's most efficient scorers at the free-throw line, converting nearly 90 percent of his attempts. In the paint, Walter Campbell has been a key contributor, averaging 9.8 points and a team-best 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 64.3 percent from the floor.
Lincoln Memorial's depth has been a strength this season, with Yassin Hussein contributing 8.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game and Drew Lewis adding 7.6 points per contest. Defensively, Emmanuel James has anchored the interior, leading the team with 26 blocked shots. Armon Jarrard has provided scoring and shooting from the perimeter at 7.3 points per game, and Ashton Pennamon adds 6.5 points while leading the team in assists and steals. Amhad Jarrard has been an efficient scorer, averaging 6.1 points per game, while Emmanuel James has made a major impact defensively and on the glass, averaging 5.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and a team-high 26 blocked shots.
Wednesday's contest marks an important opportunity for the Railsplitters to protect home court and continue their push in South Atlantic Conference play and extend their home winning streak to eight games.
