Wisconsin Dells, WI -- The Lincoln Memorial men's basketball team delivered a dramatic and hard-fought victory on Halloween night, defeating seventeenth-ranked Grand Valley State with a final score of 77-75 in overtime during the Midwest Tip-Off Classic held in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
The early stages of the contest saw swift action as Trey Horton opened the scoring for the Railsplitters with a three-pointer, followed closely by Miles Gurske hitting a shot from beyond the arc and Tyler Lee contributing an early jumper.
As the first half continued, Lincoln Memorial leaned on depth and effective floor spacing as Amhad Jarrard and Wes Rubin chipped in with vital baskets in the paint. Additional contributions from Jayden Spearman, Ryan Nutter, JC Brooks and Brayden Savage helped sustain the offense, while defensive physicality fortified the paint to help preserve a competitive edge heading toward the halftime break trailing 37-33.
The second half brought heightened intensity as both teams traded leads through rapid transitions and perimeter shooting. Brooks provided critical scoring inside, Gurske and Horton continued to find success from the field and the free-throw line, keeping the Railsplitters tightly locked in the battle as regulation time began to wind down.
In the closing minutes of regulation, clutch free-throw shooting and composure under pressure from Nutter and Gurske kept Lincoln Memorial level with their ranked opponents. Defensive rebounds and crucial stops across the closing minutes ensured that the score remained tied at the end of regulation, forcing the high-stakes matchup into an extra overtime period.
The overtime session proved to be a tense display of resilience, with Nutter and Spearman executing decisive plays when it mattered most. Nutter sank the game-winning layup in the final seconds off an assist from Spearman, sealing the thrilling 77-75 triumph and capping off an unforgettable early-season victory for the Railsplitters away from home.
