Barbourville, KY - In an exhilarating AAC road game on Saturday afternoon, the Eagles soared to a decisive 83-71 victory over the Union Commonwealth Bulldogs to stay in the top third of the conference. The Eagles now boast a season record of 6-5 and an AAC gameplay record of 4-1. The teams ahead of them have one loss as well but have played more AAC games so far this season.
The game kicked off with intense competition, reaching halftime with the Eagles slightly trailing at 31-33. However, the second half saw a phenomenal turnaround, with Reinhardt outscoring their opponents dramatically. Tee Williams led the charge for the Eagles, scoring 20 points and marking a milestone by reaching his 1000th collegiate career point—highlighting the game with 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Brasen James and Nate Jones each added 19 points to the scoreboard, playing pivotal roles in the Eagles' comeback. This gave three of the starting five in Coach Newton's lineup with double-figure scoring.
The Eagles' defense was on full display, with multiple players contributing to steals and blocks, disrupting the Bulldogs' offensive flow. Reinhardt showed a strong team effort with contributions from Zae Wiggins, Derrick Brown, Donovan Pearman, and Blake Seitz, each adding critical defensive and offensive plays. Brown continues to be a HUGE weapon coming off the bench - typically scoring in double-figures. He had 11 points in the game and pulled down 4 rebounds.
The game's key moment was undoubtedly when Reinhardt widened their lead in the second period, thanks to a 14-point run that proved impossible for Union Commonwealth to recover. This win sets a positive tone as Reinhardt prepares to face the CIU Rams in Columbia, SC on Tuesday evening. Both teams are among the top four in the conference, so a win would make a big statement to the other AAC squads.
