A Much Needed Conference Road Victory Against Truett-McConnell

David Finney

Cleveland, GA - The Eagles were coming off a tough road loss this past weekend where they lost in the final seconds of the game after playing two games in a twenty-four-hour period. This time the Eagles had a few days rest to get their legs back under them and they were ready to take on the Truett-McConnell Bears. Earlier in the season, Reinhardt won the matchup at home, but everything is a little different when playing at your opponent's home court. This would be a great test for the Eagles because both teams play similar styles.

The game would start with both teams trading baskets and leads. Reinhardt would start with two three-pointers by Tafari Thomas and Greg Hobbs. The three-ball would be key for the night as the Eagles would put up 31 attempts knocking down 14 of them - just slightly under 50%. Shooting at this percentage behind the three-point line is tremendous and makes it hard for teams to keep up.

Unlike the previous few games where the Eagles started the game off cold, this game they were hitting their shots, however, Truett-McConnell was on their game as well and pulled out to a seven-point lead midway through the first half. Tafari Thomas and Tyler Smith would hit a couple of three-pointers inside the ten-minute mark cutting the lead to three and then a three-ball shortly after by Greg Hobbs would have the game tied again with about seven minutes left.

At this point of the first half, the teams started tightening up and points were hard to come by. The two teams were still trying to figure each one out, but Kristian Collins would start his scoring spree and give the Eagles a slim 34-30 halftime lead.

The second half would start similar to the way the first half began where each team was scoring and trading baskets.  Neither team could find a way to get a good lead on the other, however, Kristian Collins and Tafari Thomas were determined to make it happen. Both were shooting the ball very well behind the three-point mark. Tyler Smith was assisting in this effort as well with layups, dunks, and a three-pointer of his own. Smith's three at the thirteen-minute mark extended Reinhardt's lead to nine points and would later see that lead go to thirteen on his rim-rocker dunk.

The game began to open up at this point as Collins could not miss from the three-point line. The athleticism and length of Reinhardt took over the game and it was a "run and gun" show in Cleveland, Georgia. The play of the night was an alley-oop pass from Dereck Lampkin to a high-flying Jalin Wimberly who came from the right side of the rim to crush it with two hands. It was a thing of beauty and everyone in attendance was on their feet.

The Eagles would finish out the game with an eleven-point lead which was the same margin as the previous game with Truett-McConnell. Reinhardt took the road conference win 83 to 72. A few notable statistics on the evening were the Eagles having five players in double figures and the team shooting 45.2% from behind the arc. Kristian Collins would lead the Eagles with 21 points followed closely by Tafari Thomas with 19 points. The other three in double figures were Tyler Smith (16), Greg Hobbs (14), and Jalin Wimberly (11). Collins was 5-10 behind the three-point line and Thomas was 5-8. Both men had a tremendous night shooting the ball behind the arc.

Let's hope the hot shooting continues as the Eagles stay on the road visiting Point University this Saturday. The next home game is Tuesday, January 18th versus Union (KY).