Harrogate, Tenn. – The Limestone Saints traveled to face Lincoln Memorial in a South Atlantic Conference matchup, to close out the regular season, at B. Frank Turner Arena, where they fought hard but ultimately fell 85-64. With this result, the Saints drop to 11-17 overall, 8-16 SAC, while Lincoln Memorial improves to 23-4 overall, 21-3 SAC.
 
Key Players:

• Trevon Payton (Lilburn, Ga.) led Limestone with 23 points, shooting 9-for-16 from the field and 4-for-7 from three-point range, while adding 5 rebounds and 1 assist.
• Sirr Hughes (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) contributed 16 points, knocking down 3 three-pointers, and recorded 2 steals in 38 minutes.
• Greg McKay (Nassau, Bahamas) added 11 points, going 9-for-10 from the free-throw line, while securing 4 rebounds.
• Isayah Owens (Inman, S.C.) provided 5 points and 2 assists.
• Railer Vargas (Venezuela) grabbed 4 rebounds while chipping in 2 points.

 
Story of the Game:
First Half:

• Limestone opened the game strong, with Hughes knocking down an early jumper to give the Saints an initial 2-0 lead.
• The teams traded baskets early, with Payton draining a three-pointer to put Limestone ahead 5-3 at the 18:28 mark.
• Lincoln Memorial responded with a run, fueled by strong rebounding and transition scoring, taking an early 13-8 lead.
• Hughes and Payton kept Limestone within reach, with Payton hitting another three at 14:47 to tie the game 8-8.
• The game saw multiple ties and lead changes, but Lincoln Memorial's size advantage in the paint helped them build momentum.
• Limestone struggled from beyond the arc (4-for-11 from three in the first half), allowing Lincoln Memorial to pull ahead.
• At halftime, Lincoln Memorial held a narrow 32-30 lead, with the Saints staying competitive behind Payton's 10 first-half points.

Second Half:

• The second half saw Lincoln Memorial increase their defensive pressure, forcing seven Limestone turnovers and limiting their second-chance opportunities.
• Lincoln Memorial went on a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 42-32 within the first five minutes.
• Payton hit a big three at the 9:49 mark to stop the run, but Lincoln Memorial responded with back-to-back three-pointers of their own, pushing the lead to 54-42.
• The Saints struggled to contain Lincoln Memorial's perimeter shooting, as the home team knocked down 14 three-pointers (7-for-9 in the second half).
• McKay and Hughes fought hard to keep Limestone in the game, but Lincoln Memorial's fast-break opportunities and second-chance points (7 in the second half) helped them extend their lead.
• Despite 23 points from Payton, the Saints were unable to mount a comeback as Lincoln Memorial closed out the game strong, sealing the 85-64 win.