Reinhardt Falls to RedStorm in Tennessee

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Reinhardt fought hard in the opening bout of the NAIA Division II Show at MeadowView, as the Eagles went toe-to-toe with Rio Grande (Ohio) on Saturday morning before dropping a close decision, 69-62, to the RedStorm.

The hometown squad shot 37.1 percent from the floor, including 40 percent from 3-point land (8-for-20), but fell to 3-7 despite 18 points and eight rebounds from Dwayne Wilson in the loss.

Rio Grande and Reinhardt went back-and-forth the entire first half as each team stayed within arm's length of the other. The RedStorm would best the Eagles by just one in the hard-fought half (32-31), before opening things up a little bit more in the second half.

Reinhardt would tie things up early in the final period, but Rio Grande would go on a quick 9-0 run to get a comfortable advantage less than five minutes after coming back out of the locker room. In the blink of an eye, however, the Eagles would soar back into contention and knot the game back up after a 3-pointer tied the outing at 46-all.

Back and forth the teams went, exchanging punches and losing leads – as it was the RedStorm who went back ahead by seven (53-46) – but they were able to stay out-front the rest of the way in the low-scoring affair in Tennessee.

Also in double figures individually was Josh Daniels with 11 points and three rebounds. He also led the way with four assists. Blake McIntyre also netted 11 points before fouling out of the contest.

The Eagles forced 19 turnovers, which directly turned into 13 points. Additionally, Reinhardt tallied 30 points in the paint and got 18 from its bench; Jaylen Waters chipped in with eight points and four rebounds.

Also noteworthy was the Eagles (3-7) out-fouling its opposition, 28-13, in defeat.

The team looks to erase that memory quickly as it gets back on the court tomorrow afternoon at 12:45 p.m. against Warner (Fla.) – the 18^th-ranked team in the nation.

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