Reinhardt Continues Strong Start With 87-74 Win Over Toccoa Falls (Ga.)

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Greg Spell/G-RoxPhotos.com

WALESKA, Ga. – National Christian College Athletic Association member Toccoa Falls (Ga.) presented a tough test to men's basketball on Monday night, but the Eagles were able to pull away, 87-74, after the Screaming Eagles came out strong in the early portion of the second half.

Four Reinhardt players hit double figures in the victory, led by a double-double off the bench from Tafari Thomas – 16 points and 11 rebounds. He was joined in the double digits by both Josh Press and Jalin Wimberly (15), along with Kristian Collins' 11.

The win pushed the hometown team to 3-0.

"The guys battled through a slow start as it was our third game in six days… And I thought fatigue showed," lead Eagle Justin Newton said. "Toccoa did a phenomenal job penetrating our defense, getting good shots and getting to free throw line. We withstood the runs and really competed. I thought our pressure defensively in the press bothered them, and we really hit the boards hard and shared the ball offensively.

"We had some different guys step up again when called upon. Really proud of the effort, and they will get a well-deserved day off to rest and go vote before gearing up for conference play. The fan atmosphere was great and gave us energy. Go Eagles!"

Reinhardt did fall behind early but was able to rebound and take a slim lead a few minutes into the game. Slowly but surely, the advantage would continue to grow in what was setting up as a low-scoring slugfest. The Eagles started to find a rhythm on both ends of the floor as they opened up an 11-point lead midway through the opening stanza (20-9).

Both offenses would then start to heat up as the Screaming Eagles continuously narrowed their gap on the scoreboard. On multiple occasions, they would fight back from double-digit deficits and get back within striking distance – no shot more important than banking in a 3-pointer in the final seconds of the opening period to head to the locker room only down by six, 41-35.

That momentum would continue into the early portion of the second half as well, as Toccoa Falls would get within a pair at 46-44 within four minutes of play. The long ball from the hometown Eagles would help get the lead back into double figures in a matter of minutes, specifically from Collins.

Even with their hole reaching 16 points at the 8:27 mark, the Screaming Eagles continued to fight and try to bring the contest back to them. Every time Toccoa Falls would find space in the Eagle defense and score, Reinhardt would respond.

The hosts didn't allow another run like they did to end the first half, so the Screaming Eagles weren't able to be an elite threat down the stretch.

The hometown team – which connected on 42.7 percent from the floor (32-of-75) – continued to share the ball well with 16 assists. It also outrebounded Toccoa Falls, 47-35.

Individually, Marcus Kirkland had nine boards to go along with six points and three assists, while Wimberly also chipped in five rebounds and four steals as well.

Appalachian Athletic Conference play begins at home on Saturday afternoon with a visit from Columbia International (S.C.).

Tip is set for 4 p.m. 

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