Mars Hill, NC -- Lincoln Memorial men's basketball improved to 16-9 overall and 12-7 in conference play after earning a 75-65 road victory against Mars Hill on Wednesday night. The Railsplitters faced a determined Lions squad that entered the contest with a 9-15 overall record and looked to pull off an upset on their home floor. The game featured a seesaw first half where Mars Hill successfully challenged the Railsplitters, leading to a back-and-forth battle for momentum before Lincoln Memorial took control in the later stages. The Railsplitter defense was on top of its game, forcing 21 turnovers which were converted to 20 points, helping Lincoln Memorial secure a late season road victory.
The opening period saw Mars Hill jump out to an early advantage, utilizing a series of successful possessions to put the Railsplitters on their heels. Trailing for much of the middle portion of the half, Lincoln Memorial relied on the interior presence of Walter Campbell and the scoring of Emmanuel James to stay within striking distance, heading into the locker room trailing narrowly, 30-26.
In the second half, EJ Smith ignited the Lincoln Memorial offense by hitting a barrage of three-pointers that shifted the momentum permanently in favor of the visitors. Smith finished the night with 19 points and seven rebounds, leading three Railsplitters in double figures. Nate Mims provided a significant boost with 18 points, including four makes from beyond the arc, while Walter Campbell and Drew Lewis anchored the frontcourt with 10 points and six points respectively. Armon Jarrard and Jayden Spearman contributed to a defensive effort that forced key turnovers during a critical ten-minute stretch where the lead grew to double digits.
Despite a late push by the Lions to close the gap, Lincoln Memorial remained steady at the charity stripe. Ashton Pennamon provided valuable depth to help maintain the defensive intensity until the final buzzer. The Railsplitters ultimately secured the ten-point win by combining timely perimeter shooting with 16 offensive rebounds, and knocking down 13 free throws in the second half.
