HARROGATE, Tenn. —It’s been the marquee match-up in the South Atlantic Conference over the past two seasons and now it’s headed for the national stage. The LMU-Anderson basketball game on Jan. 12 will be televised live on the CBS Sports Network.
Lincoln Memorial holds the highest winning percentage in the league since 2008 at 73.1 percent, while Anderson is second by winning 59.5 percent of their SAC games in their two seasons since joining the conference. LMU and Anderson also rank among the class of the Southeast Region as the Railsplitters boast the best winning percentage in the region over the past three seasons (80.2 percent), while Anderson is seventh at 65.9 percent.
The Railsplitters and Trojans have met five times over the past two seasons with an average margin of victory of just over six points, with Anderson holding a 4-1 edge. During the 2011-12 campaign, both contests came down to the closing seconds. On Jan. 14, the Trojans overcame an eight-point deficit with 1:26 left in regulation, tying the game with a Chandler Hash three-pointer to send the game into overtime where they went on to win 78-72. On Feb. 18, the Railsplitters sat atop the scoreboard 61-57 with 41 seconds remaining before the Trojans stormed back with a pair of Nick Trull free throws and a three-pointer from Denzail Jones in the waning seconds to shock LMU, 62-61, in Tex Turner Arena. The Railsplitters will be looking to snap a four-game skid versus Anderson
“Having a nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network will provide great exposure for our institution, basketball program, the South Atlantic Conference and the entire Tri-State community,”said LMU coach Josh Schertz. “Both programs have had tremendous success over the last few years, not just at the conference level, but nationally as well. It has certainly become the game that both schools’ players and fans circle, but the best thing about this game is that it’s a classy, competitive rivalry. It should be a great game in a juiced atmosphere that will showcase the extraordinarily high level of basketball that is played throughout our league.”
The Railsplitters and Trojans are set to tip off at noon on Saturday, Jan. 12, at Tex Turner Arena with the CBS Sports Network crew on site to broadcast the game to a national television audience. CBS Sports Network is available to 99 million homes nationwide and the game will also be broadcast regionally on WVLT Volunteer TV (Channel 8).
The Lincoln Memorial University athletic department has announced a variety of promotions in an effort to “Pack the House” for the contest. Fans are encouraged to show up early as the athletic department will distribute 2,500 white rally towels and 1,500 “White Out” T-shirts. Those shirts and towels will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Ticket prices vary from five dollars for adults (ages 18-54), three dollars for senior citizens (ages 55 and up) and students (ages 6-17) and free for children ages five and under. However, 500 free tickets will be available on location at Ball Realty & Auction, Inc., the game sponsor for Jan. 12. With a limited supply, fans should hurry over to Ball Realty and grab free admission to the game while they are still available.
Alumni Services will also be providing free tickets for any Lincoln Memorial University alumni. LMU graduates looking to reserve a ticket can contact Donnie Lipscomb by phone (423-869-6353) or by e-mail (alumni@lmunet.edu).
The Lincoln Memorial University athletic department will also be distributing 50 tickets apiece to 19 local schools during the week of the game to draw fan support from the area youth.
The promotion of the day will come at halftime of the men’s game, as one lucky fan will be selected at random from the stands through a ticket drawing to attempt a half court shot to win $10,000.
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