Harrogate, TN - Four days after opening the season with an emphatic victory over Shorter University, the Lincoln Memorial men's basketball team was back in the confines of Tex Turner Arena, playing host to Claflin University. It was the first time the two programs had met in men's basketball. Unlike the season opener, the Railsplitters relied on defense to propel them past the Panthers in the first half. Lincoln Memorial struggled offensively in the first half, shooting only 38% from the floor to open the game, including a 1-11 mark from beyond the arc. However, the Railsplitters' defense locked down the Panthers equally, forcing a 31% performance from the floor for Claflin in the first half, including a 27% mark from deep. Mo Bangura and Wes Enis each tallied eight points in the first half to lead Lincoln Memorial to a 31-27 lead at the halftime intermission.
The Railsplitters' offense picked up in the second half, improving to 52% from the field. However, Claflin's offense also improved to 47% from the floor in the second half. Lincoln Memorial's lead grew to its largest of the game at 65-54 with 4:18 remaining in the game. The Panthers refused to go down quietly, cutting the lead back to within six points with just 28.1 seconds remaining in the game, 76-70. Lincoln Memorial closed the game from the charity stripe, completing an 82-74 victory, improving to 2-0 on the season. The Railsplitters won the battle in the paint, hauling in 40 rebounds and scoring 44 points in the paint. Winning in the paint implies winning the physical battle as well, and that's exactly what Lincoln Memorial did, stepping to the free throw line for 36 attempts, connecting on 29 free throws.
Lincoln Memorial was led in scoring by EJ Smith and Jordan Walters with 18 points each. Smith added four assists and Walters added six rebounds. Connor Jordan tallied 17, adding four rebounds and two assists while going 5-of-10 from the field and 7-of-7 from the stripe. Mo Bangura added a double-double, the first during his time with the Railsplitters, tallying 14 points and 11 rebounds, adding two blocks. Wes Enis added 12 points and four rebounds to see Lincoln Memorial finish the game with five players in double figure scoring.
The Railsplitters will travel to Pembroke, NC on Nov. 20 for their first road game of the season to take on UNC-Pembroke. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 PM.
