Bluefield Overtakes Reinhardt in Second Half at Home

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

BLUEFIELD, Va. – The Rams overcame a one-point deficit at halftime to put together a strong second-period performance to pull away from the Eagles in Virginia on Saturday evening, 83-75, inside Dome Gymnasium on the campus of Bluefield (Va.).

The loss drops Reinhardt to 5-13 and 4-9 inside the Appalachian Athletic Conference despite a career-high effort from guard Blake McIntyre, who netted a game-best 23 points in defeat.

An additional three student-athletes – Josh Daniels (13 points), Marcus Kirkland (12) and Dustin Ladson (11) – we all in double figures for the Eagles' offensive attack.

"Defensively, we are not very disciplined or consistent in what we do; and that's my fault as a coach," head coach Justin Newton said. "We scored enough points to win the game tonight. We didn't guard at all and if we want to have a chance to win games, then we have to defend consistently, which we don't do right now. We will battle back for a big game Wednesday and try to correct some mistakes."

The Rams were able to come up with some stops and slow the Reinhardt shooters over the final 20 minutes as they put together a nine-point difference in the second stanza to help split the season series between the two schools after the Eagles escaped by one tally at home back on Nov. 9, 2019, 66-65.

Kirkland grabbed seven rebounds and Jamison Syphore had 5 boards, 5 assists and 2 points.

Kameron Walters also collected five rebounds and four points (with two blocks), while Daniels led the way in dimes with seven.

In total, the hometown team shot 44.6 percent from the floor (29-of-65), hit seven shots from beyond the 3-point line and made 10-of-16 of its freebie attempts.

Reinhardt got to the charity stripe 16 times, while its host made 25-of-39 attempts at the free throw line in the victory.

The Bulldogs of Tennessee Wesleyan welcome Reinhardt to town on Jan. 15 for another conference clash beginning at 7:30 p.m. 

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