Eagles Take Home Conference Opener Against Rams, 94-82

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

WALESKA, Ga. – The Eagles picked up a big win within the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) on Tuesday night in their league opener at home, as Reinhardt played solid on both ends of the floor to take down the hot-shooting Rams of Columbia International (S.C.), 94-82, inside the Brown Athletic Center.

The hometown squad wrapped up the home slate before Christmas break with an overall record of 7-3 (3-2 AAC).

Four starters hit double figures – led by Jalin Wimberly's 20 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals – while the Eagles shot 50 percent from the floor (36-for-72) in the victory.

Joining Wimberly on the 10-plus-point plateau were Kristian Collins (16 points and 8 boards), DJ Lampkin (12 points and 5 rebounds) and Josh Press (10 points and 4 boards).

Nearly all five starters hit the aforementioned mark as Tyler Smith finished with nine tallies to go along with a trio of rebounds.

"So proud of our team's focus coming into this game," head coach Justin Newton said. "CIU is one of the better teams in our league and we really came ready. I was really proud of how we took care of the ball against their heavy pressure and the way we defended the 3-point-line. This team is growing every day and I'm really excited of the direction we are going.

"Now we turn our attention to the No. 18 team in the country and I have no doubt our guys will be ready for the challenge. Go Eagles!"

There were six ties and 12 lead changes in the opening 20 minutes of action, but Reinhardt was able to slow down the 3-point shot of the Rams while turning the ball over only four times in return to prevent Columbia International from fastbreak points.

The Rams were still able to hit some shots, however, and took a five-point lead about mid-way through the period, but the Eagles stood up to the challenge and made keys plays of their own to head to the locker room ahead by six at 48-42.

The hometown club continued that momentum in the second half by immediately bolting out to a 13-point advantage on multiple occasions. Columbia International, who came into the battle near the top of the AAC standings, wouldn't give up as it fought back to within a half-dozen at 62-56 with just under 12 minutes remaining in the game.

The Eagles would respond in a big way by ballooning their cushion to a contest-high 16 points, while the Rams had one more run in them to get the matchup to within five (87-82), but an and-one by Wimberly with just over a minute left was the nail in the coffin for Columbia International's comeback attempt.

The Rams never led in the second half.

Tafari Thomas led the bench scoring for Reinhardt with nine points as well.

A nonconference road trip to Dalton State (Ga.) is up next on Thursday evening at 5 p.m. 

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