Reinhardt Takes Road Outing at AAC-Leading Point (Ga.), 75-71

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media 

Photo Courtesy of Montreat (N.C.) Sports Information

WEST POINT, Ga. – Reinhardt men's basketball was able to earn the season sweep over Point (Ga.) in the Skyhawks' own gym on Monday evening after the Eagles got double-digit scoring from four players en route to a 75-71 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) triumph, 75-71.

With the win, the hometown team remains near the very top of the league standings with a 17-7 overall record and a 12-6 mark within the AAC following its fourth-consecutive victory.

Josh Press was 5-for-9 from 3-point land to lead the way offensively with 15 points and four rebounds. Jalin Wimberly was not far behind with 14 tallies and a trio of boards.

"I'm so proud of our guys as they did such a good job keeping calm and positive the entire game," head coach Justin Newton said. "We jumped out on Point, and being the great team they are, Point battled back, but our guys never lost focus or belief in themselves. Once again, it wasn't one guy; it was several guys across the board trying to find something they could do to help us win the game.

"Our bench and coaching staff did a phenomenal job communicating. This sets us up for the biggest game of the year and TMU is playing extremely well right now – one more!"

Reinhardt stormed out of the gate on the road with a 20-9 run in the opening seven minutes to get Point on its heels – eventually pulling ahead, 27-11 – with just under nine minutes to play before halftime. The 16-point advantage would evaporate quickly, as the Skyhawks roared back to take the lead by one in the final minute.

The Eagles bounced right back on the very next possession as Kristian Collins sent his team to the break with the lead once more at 34-33.

The hosts would retake the advantage by a tally early in the second period, but after both teams were tied on a couple of occasions, Reinhardt wouldn't surrender the advantage the rest of the way. In fact, the Eagles pushed their cushion to double figures once more (67-57) before Point got back within a single tally at 67-66 with 2:14.

The two clubs would exchange 3-point makes before Wimberly made it a three-point game at the free throw line. The Skyhawks would get another basket and a break from Reinhardt at the charity stripe – setting up a chance for overtime – instead, Point went for the win with three seconds left and missed.

Wimberly then iced the contest with a pair of free throws.

Moses Jones continued his solid contribution as a reserve, totaling 12 points and a pair of steals off the bench. Greg Hobbs also had 11 tallies and five rebounds.

Reinhardt only shot 39.3 percent from the floor (24-for-61), but hit 10 shots from deep.

The regular season comes to a close tomorrow night with a road outing to Truett McConnell (Ga.) in a 7 p.m. matchup. 

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For more information on Reinhardt Men's Basketball, please click here.