Bulldogs Bite Back in Big Way in Second Half to Avoid Upset

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Greg Spell/G-RoxPhotos.com
 
WALESKA, Ga. – No. 19 Union (Ky.) was given a tough test to pass on Tuesday night inside the Brown Athletic Center, but the Bulldogs finished the last seven-plus minutes of the game on a 19-4 run to put the upstart Eagles to rest in a 71-52 final score.

Reinhardt was in prime position to make a run at an upset on its home floor after being down by only two points at the half, 30-28, and then four tallies (52-48) with 7:32 remaining in the Appalachian Athletic Conference battle.

The hometown team came out with a lot of energy on both sides of the floor en route to a 7-0 advantage in the opening minutes, but cold shooting at times during both halves would doom the Eagles' chances of keeping Union on the ropes.

"We are progressing a lot defensively but still struggling to sustain for long periods of time and get a rhythm offensively," head coach Justin Newton said. "I was really proud of the first half of basketball, but we let Union control the pace the rest of the game… A lot to learn still."

The low-scoring affair played into the hands of the hosts in the opening 20 minutes, as the Eagles stayed ahead of the Bulldogs for nearly 16 minutes until they tied the score at 24-24 with 4:03 left before halftime. The teams would then go back-and-forth the rest of the way until Union would hit a shot with three seconds left on the clock to head to intermission with the lead, 30-28.

Reinhardt would get within one point early in the second half, but Union would gain more confidence as the matchup continued. The Bulldogs would jump to a nine-point advantage five minutes into the second stanza, but the Eagles would continuously claw their way back into contention.

Each club would punch back at the other over the next few possessions, but after back-to-back baskets by Jervon Walker at the 7:32 mark, time would run out on the Reinhardt's opportunity for a signature win.

From there, it was all Union.

Josh Daniels was the lone Eagle in double-digit scoring with 15 points on 5-for-13 from the floor.

Dwayne Wilson was up next with 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, while Walker – off the bench – put up a half-dozen points and three boards.

Reinhardt hit just 34 percent of its shots (17-of-50), including one trey in 14 tries, and 17-of-25 from the free throw line.

The squad makes a return trip to face Bryan (Tenn.) on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. 

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