Cold Shooting Night Sends Reinhardt to Setback at Georgia Gwinnett

Lawrenceville, GA - Reinhardt Men's Basketball could not overcome a blistering shooting display from Georgia Gwinnett on Wednesday night, falling 102-60 at the Convocation Center in a nonconference matchup. Coach Richard Morgan elected to sit several key players in this nonconference game, which did not have an overall effect on the season and AAC standings. 

The Eagles actually struck first, as Tucker Lowe opened the game with a 3-pointer to give Reinhardt an early 3-0 lead at the 18:56 mark of the first quarter. Georgia Gwinnett quickly answered with a decisive run, seizing control behind hot perimeter shooting and a dominant effort on the glass. By the end of the opening quarter, the Grizzlies had outscored Reinhardt 55-21, using their depth and pace to build a margin that the Eagles could not erase.

Reinhardt's offense struggled to match Georgia Gwinnett's efficiency. The Eagles finished 19-of-66 from the field (28.8 percent) and 8-of-32 from 3-point range (25.0 percent), while being limited to 11 assists. Despite generating 11 steals and 11 offensive rebounds, Reinhardt faced extended scoring droughts that allowed the home team to stretch the lead to as many as 50 points in the second quarter.

Khalil Cooke led the Eagles with 15 points in 16 minutes, adding four rebounds, three steals and three 3-pointers as he provided much of Reinhardt's perimeter spark. Dillon Fulwood added 10 points and five rebounds, going 4-of-6 at the foul line, while the bench contributed 36 points overall to keep energy on the floor in the second half. Khevarus Dawson knocked down a late jumper in the closing minute as Reinhardt continued to compete to the final horn.

From the early parts of the game, the Grizzlies took control and put the game out of reach by the halftime break.  They continued on to get the forty-point margin to end the contest quickly.  Several younger Eagles were able to get some valuable time on the floor that should give them good experience for future seasons at Reihardt.

The Eagles focus is set for Saturday's away game at Bluefield University.  Bluefield sits at the bottom of the AAC standings, but it is a game that Reinhardt must win in order to keep the final spot in the AAC Tournament. A win should shut the door on Milligan University, who are right behind the Eagles with a few conference games left to play before the close of the regular season on Sunday evening.  Tune in to AACsports.com to see the most up-to-date conference standings and information on the AAC Tournament.