HARROGATE, Tenn. - With the beginning of the Gulf South Conference schedule, the Lincoln Memorial University men's basketball team managed to take a 1-0 mark with all pistons firing in LMU's 89-82 win over Valdosta State Saturday evening. 

Railsplitters Johnny Martin (Detroit, MI), Artavius Mitchell (Chicago, IL) and Kenneth Fox (Lexington, KY), Stevie Akridge (Grand Rapids, MI) and Kelvin Burnes (Miami, FL) combined for 81 of LMU's 89 points to give the LMU men their first win in GSC play.

The success of the LMU inside game was developed by tremendous guard play that drew attention away from the paint and out on to the perimeter.  Guards Kai Wells (Memphis, TN) and Kelvin Burnes then slashed to the hole or dished the ball off to one of several LMU weapons to create a lethal attack. 

Burnes, playing in only his fourth game for the Railsplitters finished the night with a game-high nine assists and 10 points, while Martin led LMU in scoring with 22 points, Mitchell finished with 17 and Fox and Akridge added 16 apiece.  Mitchell also captured top rebounding honors for LMU by pulling eight boards.

For Valdosta State (9-3), senior center Jon Rogers had his typical night with 28 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Blazers in both categories.  Teammates J.T. Thomas and Mike Craine were the only other VSU players to score double figures with 15 and 11 respectively.

Now 3-10 overall and 1-0 in league play, the Railsplitters prepare to play host to the University of West Florida on Monday night in yet another key early season GSC match-up.  The Argonauts will be trying to bounce back from an 82-78 loss in Carrollton, Georgia on Saturday night at the hands of the Braves of West Georgia. 

Tip-off for the first meeting of the year between the Railsplitters and the Argos is set for 8:00 p.m.