RU Basketball Faces Set-Back at Bryan

Dayton, TN - As the 2023-24 AAC Basketball Season comes to a close, the Eagles are hanging on to the last and final spot for the AAC Tournament that will begin in just over two weeks.  Reinhardt faced Bryan College on Wednesday evening on the road where they came up short, 82-54.  The loss drops the Eagles to the eighth spot and zero room for error in their final two games.  One of those games will be this Saturday at home versus Montreat, which will be Senior Day.  With a win, the Eagles can move up a spot in the standings with just two games remaining - both on the road.  

The Eagles had a poor first half, which ultimately cost them the game.  They were only able to score 19 total points in the first half while giving up 49.  In the second half, the Eagles scored 35 to the Lions' 33, but the first-half deficit was way too much to recover from. Reinhardt just had a rough night shooting the ball shooting just 28% from the field and 25% from the three-point line.  

Derrian Reed led the team in scoring with 16 points coming off the bench. Reed has been one of the more consistent players as of late and will be a key piece if the Eagles are to make postseason play. Reed personally had a good game shooting 5 for 9 from the field and 3 for 5 from the three-point line.  Nate Louis was second in scoring with 12 points.  Nate Jones had a tough night only scoring 7 points which is a rare site for Reinhardt Basketball. Jones has had a great season leading the Eagles in scoring from his shooting guard position.

Hopefully, the Eagles can shake off this road loss and get the final home game win on Saturday versus Montreat. After this, Reinhardt has CIU on the road next Wednesday and then they finish up with Tennessee Wesleyan on Saturday, February 24th.  If the Eagles win out, they should guarantee them in a spot in the 2024 AAC Tournament.  A loss or two could see their season end early.