The so-called experts, whoever they may be, will always tell you winning a championship is hard, but it is nothing like defending that title. On Saturday afternoon, the Lincoln Railers took the first step in trying to do just that. Lincoln’s 59-44 win over Urbana during the opening round of the 2014 Schnucks Holiday Classic in Collinsville keeps them on the path to repeat as tournament champions, something they have not achieved since a three-peat from 1985 to 1987.  The Railers will play their game two against Quincy this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. 

Photos of the Saturday game by Devin Biggs