Eagles Soar in Second Half to Overtake Toccoa Falls

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Greg Spell/G-RoxPhotos.com

TOCCOA FALLS, Ga. – Reinhardt got right back on the hardwood on Wednesday and earned another tally in the win column against the Screaming Eagles – the second in a month – this time on the home floor of Toccoa Falls (Ga.), 96-81, to improve to 5-2 on the year.

Tafari Thomas (9-for-11) was the top scorer for the Eagles with 20 points and six rebounds (in only 18 minutes), while he was joined in double figures by three additional teammates – Moses Jones (17), Kristian Collins (16) and Josh Press (11).

"Feels good to win again, not pretty, but always celebrate a win," head coach Justin Newton said. "Playing on the road is tough and the guys fought through the runs. We guarded together and took advantage… We had one lineup that went plus-16 and that was the difference in the game."

The hometown squad started slow and found itself in a three-point hole at the half, 41-38, and then turned it on in the final period to the tune of an 18-point difference (58-40) to soar away from the Screaming Eagles with another near-100-point outing.

Reinhardt was able to earn the comeback win after playing aggressive and getting to the line (19-for-24) and hitting on 53 percent of its shots at 35-of-66. Not only was the starting lineup strong on the scoresheet for the Eagles, but their bench was able to produce three players who netted seven points each as well.

Defensively, the visitors stole the ball 11 times and outrebounded their host by the count of 32-24. Collins also added a half-dozen boards and two more student-athletes hit the glass five times.

Toccoa Falls was able to make runs by hitting 13-of-27 from deep, but couldn't continue the momentum after committing 14 crucial turnovers.             

The Screaming Eagles' DJ Thompson shined off the bench with 24 points.

It's back to Appalachian Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon against the Knights of Kentucky Christian.

Opening tip is set for 4 p.m. following the completion of the women's contest between the two schools. 

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.