Storylines – vs LMU
LMU has not won in nearly a month. The Railsplitters enter Monday's game on a three-game losing streak; the team's last win came on Dec. 15 when Krystal Evans' team upset No. 20 Wingate at home. Since then, the team has has been outscored by an average of 10.7 points per game in a trio of losses. Most recently, LMU was knocked off by SAC leader Newberry 95-88 despite a career-high 33 points from senior guard Emily Griffith. Emily Griffith has led the way for a family affair for the Railsplitters, Emily and twin sister Rachel are the team's top two scorers with Emily scoring 15.6 points per game and Rachel tallying 13.5 points a contest. First cousin Sydney Duggins is fourth on the team in scoring at 8.5 points per game and leads the team in 3-point field goal percentage (.444). LMU has had difficulty keeping opponents off the free throw line. Through the season's first 12 games, teams are shooting 25.4 free throws per game against the Railsplitters. By comparison, UVa-Wise is attempting 19.3 free throws per game. This will be the final meeting between the two schools as non-league members. UVa-Wise is joining the SAC in the fall.
About UVa-Wise
UVa-Wise opens 2019 looking to get back to the .500 mark in the team's final non-league game of the season. Most recently, the Cavaliers stumbled late in a 62-54 home loss to King University. The game continued a trend that has seen Jamie Cluesman's team alternate wins and losses this season. Thus far, the team has yet to win or lose consecutive games. A win Monday would give the program its first two -game winning streak over LMU since then Clinch Valley College won four of the first five meetings between the schools in the 1970's. A win would also allow the Cavs to match their win total from last season (6) while giving the team its fourth win of the season away from home. Freshman Mackenzie King continues to see an increased role. The forward is averaging 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals over the last two games while having made seven 3-pointers over the stretch. Depth could play a factor this week as UVa-Wise plays three games in the span of six days. In the 2018 portion of the schedule, Cluesman played 12 players at least 11 minutes per game.