Eagles Earn Overtime Win, 82-77, After Soaring Past Rams

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Greg Spell/G-RoxPhotos.com
 
WALESKA, Ga. – Another hard-fought battle between two Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) schools inside the Brown Athletic Center went down to the wire after Reinhardt scored 21 points in overtime to outlast the visiting Rams of Columbia International (S.C.), 82-77, Monday night in Waleska.

The Eagles (7-18, 6-14 AAC) got a career-high 18 points from Kye Jeremiah as he was one of three players to hit the double-digit mark after both Blake McIntyre and Josh Daniels netted 13 apiece in the win.

"I was really proud of the way we defended and rebounded," head coach Justin Newton said. "We had so many different guys step up. CIU did a great job forcing us into a lot of turnovers but fortunately we were able to adjust and make better decisions down the stretch.

"I know we left a lot of points at the free throw line, but we had some guys step up and make big ones down the stretch. I'm very happy for our team and they deserve the feeling of a win."

The Rams put up 81 shots on the evening, including 38 from behind the arc, for 38.3 and 21.1 percent, respectively. Conversely, the hometown squad got off nearly 30 less shots than Columbia International at 27-for-52 (51.9 percent) with eight made 3-pointers.

Both teams would take turns going on runs throughout the entire contest, and the first half came to a close with Columbia International – who had a strong start to the game – closing its deficit to one point at 30-29. The opening moments of the second period resulted in a 9-1 spree and a nine-point lead about three minutes after the break concluded.

The visitors from South Carolina would respond in a big way over the next seven minutes, going on a 15-2 spurt to regain the advantage, 45-41. From there, the two clubs again went back-and-forth the rest of the way, with the Eagles tying the game late (61-61) on free throws before a last-second heave went wide by the Rams.

Offensive rebounds would play a big role in the score expanding on the side of the hosts, as they capitalized on second-chance points en route to a nice offensive flow and an eight-point lead with less than 90 seconds left.

The game, however, would get tighter one last time after a nine-point lead (77-68) with 36 seconds remaining would dwindle to just one possession in a matter of six seconds after a number of miscues inbounding the basketball.

Jeremiah would then hit four free throws that would help put the matchup out of reach.

Jervon Walker was all over the offensive glass in crunch time, and finished up with nine points and 10 rebounds. Marcus Kirkland grabbed 11 boards to go with his five points and three assists.

Reinhardt outrebounded its opposition, 48-39, but kept the door open for a comeback after connecting on just 20-of-36 from the free charity stripe.

The team looks to make it two-straight wins when Milligan (Tenn.) comes to town on Saturday afternoon. 

Opening tip is scheduled for 4 p.m.

For up-to-the-minute Eagles sports news, follow Reinhardt Athletics on Facebook, @RU_Eagles on Twitter and @ru_eagles on Instagram. 

For more information on Reinhardt Men's Basketball, please click here.