Turnovers Hurt Eagles on the Road in Season Opener

Henderson, TN - The Eagles started their game on November 2nd with a road game at Freed-Hardeman who is ranked #10 in the nation. The Eagles came away with a loss in the game, 103-59, but it is a starting point to see where the team is and where they need to go.

The game had several runs by the Lions, but the Eagles were able to hang within striking distance for much of the first half.  With just 8 minutes left in the first half, the Eagles got the game to within seven points on a Brandon Barron free throw.  That would be as close as the Eagles would get the rest of the way as Freed-Hardeman turned on the jets and showed why they have their #10 ranking.

Tyler Smith led the way for the Eagles scoring 16 points on 6-16 shooting from the field and 3-4 from the free throw line. Also reaching double-figures scoring was newcome, Tayden Owens, who put in 10 points on 4-4 shooting from the field and 2-2 on free throws.

Another newcomer, Derrian Reed, was just outside double-figure scoring with nine points.  He had a solid 2 for 2 from the free throw line but struggled some in the field shooting just 2 for 8.  This will definitely improve as the season progresses and he will be a player to watch in the scoring department.

A glaring stat was the 22 turnovers by the Eagles to just 5 of the Lions.  Freed-Hardeman played controlling defense on the Eagles causing many of the turnovers, but several of the turnovers were just from bad decisions by the Reinhardt players.  This will be a stat the definitely improves as the season moves forward and the team starts playing the conference games.

The Eagles will have this weekend off and will return to the court for another road game at Truett McConnell on Wednesday, November 8th.  The first home game for the Eagles will be on a busy college game day Saturday on November 11th at 5 pm.