No. 2 LMU Clinches Share of Conference Regular Season Title

WISE, Va. – For the eighth time in the last 10 seasons, the Lincoln Memorial University men's basketball team is South Atlantic Conference regular season champions.

The Railsplitters (24-1, 17-0) clinched at least a share of the 2019-20 league title for the eighth time since 2010-11 by defeating UVA Wise 94-76 on the road Wednesday night inside the David J. Prior Convocation Center in Wise, Virginia. Remaining unblemished in conference play and perfect in 2020, LMU extended its nation-leading winning streak to 24 to tie both a program and SAC record.

Devin Whitfield (LMU Athletics Photo)

With the regular season title, the Railsplitters tie Catawba for the most regular season titles in SAC history. LMU has now won 12 league championships, including SAC Tournament titles, since 2010. After a slow start, the visiting Railsplitters outscored the host Cavaliers (5-18, 1-16) 56-42 in the second half while shooting 52.9 percent (18-of-34) from the floor across the final 20 minutes. Trailing by as much as seven early in the first half, LMU rallied with 13 made three pointers and five double-digit scorers.

Getting a 33-point contribution from their bench, the Railsplitters forced 17 UVA Wise turnovers and scored 28 points off of the Cavaliers' miscues. LMU also held a 12-2 advantage in fastbreak points and committed only five second-half turnovers. The Railsplitters owned their largest lead of the night at 21 (94-73) following an Anthony Brown layup with 30 seconds remaining. Going 8-for-19 (42.1%) from three-point land in the second half, LMU finished the game 47.5 percent (28-of-59) from the field, 41.9 percent (13-of-31) from long range and 86.2% (25-of-29) from the foul line. Devin Whitfield (pictured) led the Railsplitters with 21 points, six rebounds and a season-high tying six assists, while Anthony Brown claimed 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting and dished out a game-high eight assists. Julius Brown had 17 points and four rebounds off the bench, going 3-for-5 from outside and 6-for-8 from the floor. Henry added 12 points and six boards and Calhoun scored 10 points, grabbed three rebounds, distributed a pair of assists and had two blocks in 21 minutes off the bench. Cameron Whiteside of UVA Wise logged a game-best 31 points on 9-for-18 shooting with five three pointers for the Cavaliers, going 8-for-8 at the charity stripe and hauling in a game-high nine rebounds. The Railsplitters can clinch the SAC regular season title outright Saturday when they host Newberry in a 4 p.m. tip-off from inside B. Frank "Tex" Turner Arena. Saturday's men's and women's doubleheader with the visiting Wolves is presented by Sleep Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express and the Middlesborough Inn.

LMU Athletics Photo