So Close for the Eagles

David FInney | Photo by G-Rox Photography

Waleska, GA - There was no slow start for Reinhardt this time when they welcomed Point University to the Brown Athletic Center gym. The Eagles came out flying playing intense defense which was creating turnovers and missed shots for the Skyhawks. On top of this, the team was getting it done on the offensive end as well. It was an exciting game for Reinhardt fans and everyone in attendance was enjoying seeing their Eagles making it happen on the basketball court.

Tarrah Gibson would get the Eagles going in the first quarter scoring six of the first eight points for Reinhardt. The Eagles would start showing their dominance and determination in the first quarter and a long three-pointer by Torie Williams would extend the lead to nine points with about three minutes left in the first quarter. Shortly after, Ashley Woodroffe would knock down a three of her own pushing the lead to twelve. Everything was working for Reinhardt and it seemed like everyone was contributing to the success on the floor. The first quarter would end with Reinhardt having an amazing 20 to 8 lead.

Abi Haynes would get an early layup in the second quarter moving the lead up to fourteen points, however, Point would start scoring. Julia Craft did her best to silence any attempts for an early comeback by hitting a three-pointer to follow up the layup by Haynes. Craft would hit two more three-pointers in the first five minutes of the second quarter wrapped around a couple of free throws by Catherine Shope. The feeling in the building was pure joy as everything the Eagles did was working. The twelve to fourteen-point spread that the Eagles enjoyed would stay this way through the midway point of the quarter and at the half - Reinhardt would lead 44-33. It was a great half for the Eagles and everyone was excited to see it continue into the second half.

Reinhardt would show that the second half was going to start the same way the first half ended. Woodruffe would have an early layup and free throws to get the Eagles their biggest lead of the game at seventeen points. Coach Wagoner and his crew had the Point Skyhawks rattled, but they were very aware of their three-point shooting ability and how easily a lead that they enjoyed could slip away. At the two-minute mark of the third quarter, Reinhardt still had a fifteen-point lead, but a series of turnovers and costly fouls would allow the Skyhawks to chip away at the Eagles' lead. With around a minute left, the lead would drop to just eight points - but a layup by Haynes and Katrice Jackson would take the lead back to eleven to finish the quarter.

Those that follow Women's Basketball of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) know that the talent level is very good and each team is competitive. There is not a lot of room that separates the top teams from those in the middle. On any given night, any team can rise up and beat another no matter the standings. Reinhardt and Point are two of those teams that are very equal. The Eagles knew that Point would have a final run at them even though the Skyhawks had been trailing the entire game.

The Eagles, who had been on fire the first half, suddenly found themselves struggling to score and they did not get their first basket until almost the five-minute mark of the quarter. In addition, Point started hitting most of their shots around this time as well and that comfortable lead that the Eagles enjoyed dropped to just a four-point lead at the five-minute mark. Everyone in attendance was somewhat stunned and was trying to figure out what had happened to the team that was dominating the first three-quarters of this game. The game was finally tied by Point at the three-minute mark.  Emilee Swofford would hit a key jump shot just inside the two-minute point to give the Eagles a narrow two-point lead, but another Reinhardt turnover would allow Point to get their new lead up to three points. Shortly after, Abi Haynes hits a jump shot at the top of the key to get Reinhardt to just one point and with just twenty seconds left Haynes ties the game at 68 with a free throw. All the fans and players were on their feet nervously wondering what would happen in those final seconds and would this game go to overtime.

With the game tied, the Skyhawks had the ball and their point guard saw an opening to drive to the basket. She was fouled on a missed layup attempt with two seconds left. Point would make both free throws which left the Eagles with one last chance for a halfcourt desperation shot, The shot would come up short and what was once a game in hand by our Eagles was now being taken away by the visiting Point Skyhawks, 70-68.

Ashley Woodroffe led the Eagles in scoring with 14 points followed by 10 points from Catherine Shope. Abi Haynes had a big night on the boards bringing down 12 rebounds.

The Eagles will try to rebound from letting this one slip away when they visit Kentucky Christian on Saturday in Grayson, Kentucky. This will be a kickoff to several road games for the Eagles until they return home again on Saturday, February 5th.