Men's Basketball Falls at Lincoln Memorial

HARROGATE, Tenn. – Mars Hill lost to No. 4 Lincoln Memorial 95-72 in South Atlantic Conference men's basketball action Wednesday night in Tex Turner Arena. The Lions fell to 9-16 overall and 5-14 in the league. The Railsplitters improved to 23-2 on the season, 19-0 in the SAC.

Justin Yeargin led the Lions with 21 points, five rebounds and four assists. Tyree Griffin followed with 15 points. Mars Hill hit 36% (27-75) of their field goal attempts, 19% (4-21) of their 3-point shots and 82.4% (14-17) of their shots at the foul line.

Luquon Chance led LMU with 25 points followed by Jalen Steele with 22 markers. Emanuel Terry recorded a double-double with 10 points and the same number of rebounds. The Railsplitters connected on 42.9% (33-77) of their shots from the floor, 40.6% (13-32) of their attempts from behind the arc and 72.7% (16-22) of their free throws. LMU out rebounded the Lions, 53-43 that turned into 17 second chance points.

Mars Hill jumped out to an eight point lead (19-13) with 14:51 left in the first half after Yeargin hit a 3-pointer. The Lions went on to enjoy nine point advantage (32-23) at the 9:58 mark after Jalen Witherspoon hit a jumper. The Railsplitters then went on a 15-4 run over the next six minutes of play to take a 38-36 lead with 4:13 left in the first half after Choice hit a shot from behind the arc. LMU then closed out the first half of play outscoring the Lions 19-9 to go into the locker room at halftime with a 12 point lead (57-45).

Mars Hill trimmed the deficit to eight points (57-49) with 18:02 left in the second period after Griffin hit a shot in the lane but that was as close as the Lions would get. The Railsplitters answered with a 16-4 run to go ahead 73-53 with 14:58 left to play after Choice scored inside. LMU would lead by as many as 26 points (95-69) with 3:03 left in regulation after Devin Hankins hit a shot at the foul line. The Railsplitters would hold on for a 95-72 victory in the final three minutes of play.

Mars Hill will host SAC rival Coker on Saturday, February 20. Tip-off in Stanford Arena is set for 4 p.m.