Eagles Second Half Rally Secures Important AAC Win!

Dayton, TN—Reinhardt Basketball had a great second-half comeback, resulting in a 117-115 road win over Bryan College. It was a great win for many reasons, but most of all, it allowed them to beat a team ahead of them in the standings and stay in ninth place in the AAC. The Lions are currently in fifth place, and the Eagles remain in ninth for the moment, but they picked up their third win in February, keeping their postseason chances alive.

The Eagles, under the aggressive playmaking by Tee Williams, who racked up 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, demonstrated resilience and tenacity. Nate Jones was equally pivotal, contributing a high of 26 points and maintaining strong 3-point shooting throughout the game, which kept the Eagles within reach despite early setbacks. Williams and Jones are #6 and #8, respectively, in the AAC points per game leaderboard. 

As the game unfolded, Bryan College initially pulled ahead, managing a 12-point lead by the first half. The Lions' Dalen Gales was a significant obstacle with his consistent scoring. However, persistent efforts from Williams and the Eagles, along with crucial free throws fueled by frequent fouls from both teams, defined the second half. The Eagles had a great night at the free-throw line, shooting almost 91%.  Brasen James was 10 for 10 at the charity stripe!

Despite being nearly twenty points down in the second half, Reinhardt mounted a major comeback. Key plays from Williams, including some aggressive drives and a strategic focus on offensive rebounds and 3-point shots, were instrumental as the Eagles clawed their way back to a narrow victory. The decisive moment came late in the game when Reinhardt overcame Bryan's lead, showcasing their clutch performance.

Additional contributions came from Zae Wiggins and Brasen James, who added significant tally to the scoresheet—James ended the game with 19 points and 10 rebounds. The final scoreline, Reinhardt 117, Bryan 115, reflects the nail-biting nature of the competition, emphasizing the Eagles' ability to overcome adversity. The Lions made a costly mistake with just 18 seconds left in the game, which gave the upper hand to the Eagles to finish out the game at the free-throw line.

The important month of February has the Eagles sitting at 3-1 with just three regular season games remaining.  With a few more wins, the Eagles could move up the AAC Standings and set their spot for the AAC Tournament.  The AAC Tournament will be February 26-March 1 at the MeadowView Marriott in Kingsport, Tenn.

Looking ahead, the Eagles will face St. Andrews on February 15 in Laurinburg, NC, aiming to build on their current record of 12-13, 9-9. As they move forward, the thrilling victory over Bryan College will certainly boost their confidence.