Lions Roar in Game's Final Minutes to Take Down Eagles

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
 
DAYTON, Tenn. – The Lions of Bryan (Tenn.) tied the Eagles at 60 with just over six minutes remaining in the game and didn't look back on Thursday night in Tennessee, as the hosts finished the contest on a 17-7 run to take a mid-week Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) decision, 77-67.

Blake McIntyre – off the bench – hit a half-dozen 3-pointers and netted 20 points on 7-for-15 from the floor to help keep the hometown squad in contention the entire evening, and was joined in that effort by Marcus Kirkland (16 points; 7-of-13) and Dwayne Wilson.

The first half saw two ties and four lead changes as each team had its runs in the first 20 minutes, and McIntyre and company would help Reinhardt (6-17, 5-13 AAC) take a seven-point advantage on multiple occasions – including after a trey by McIntyre and a basket from Josh Daniels with 3:33 left before the break.

The Lions, however, would be back in front in the blink of an eye after getting to the free throw line and causing havoc on the defensive end. Just like that, Bryan nailed a two-pointer in the paint right before the buzzer to head to the locker room ahead by three points at 34-31.

The Eagles were able to claw their way back to another tie and eventually take the lead once again after Bryan miscues helped Reinhardt get points back in a big way. Kirkland hit a shot in the paint on a second-chance bucket to help the team open up its biggest advantage in the second period at 55-51, but once again, the Lions would grab momentum and not let go.

In less than two minutes, the hosts would regain the upper-hand before McIntyre answered with another 3-pointer for the lead for the final time.

Bryan would then tie things up at 60-60 and run away from the Eagles from there.

The hometown squad hit 11 shots from deep and 40 percent overall (24-for-60). 

Defensively, Jamison Syphore recorded 10 rebounds to go with his six points, and Kirkland nearly posted a double-double with nine boards.

Kye Jeremiah also added 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists.

The Eagles forced Bryan into 16 turnovers as well.

Reinhardt is back at the Brown Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon when it lines up against St. Andrews (N.C.) at 4 p.m.

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