Eagles Get Back on Winning Track in Kentucky

David Finney | photo by G-Rox Photography

Grayson, KY - Reinhardt Women's Basketball team were able to get a much-needed win on the road Saturday versus Kentucky Christian. The past few games for the Eagles were well played yet they continued coming up just a little short of getting a victory.  The season is getting to the point where every game is crucial for getting your spot in the conference order.

When the Eagles are playing to their potential, they can play with every team in the AAC.  They showed this today getting solid play from their leaders Abi Haynes and Catherine Shope. Haynes had a tremendous afternoon scoring 26 points, 7 steals and handing out 6 assists. Shope poured in 14 points as she continues to be consistent game after game. Symone Williams and Tarrah Gibson were just under double figures scoring at 9 and 8 points respectively. Torie Williams came off the bench to score 7 points shooting 2 for 2 behind the three-point arc.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, the Eagles pulled out to a seven-point lead on free throws by Ashley Woodroffe and they would keep this lead until the last minute of the quarter. Kentucky Christian was able to work their way back and catch Reinhardt and go up by one at the quarter break, 18-17.

In the second quarter, Kentucky Christian was able to extend their lead to nine points about midway through the quarter. Reinhardt chipped away at the lead in the final minute on made free throws by Brylee Puckett and a layup by Woodroffe, however, it would not be enough as the Kentucky Christian took their nine-point lead to halftime, 41-32.

If you have watched the Eagles play the past few games, you know that they have been playing well - but just not able to finish out games. For the fans watching, it seemed like this could have a similar ending. In the third quarter, it was like a switch went off and the Eagles said no more on giving up games that belong to us. The entire third quarter was used by Reinhardt to get back in the game by slowly chipping down the lead of Kentucky Christian. The quarter would end with a narrow 58-54 lead for Kentucky Christian.

This lead was definitely obtainable by the Eagles considering how they have been playing.  The fourth quarter belonged to the Eagles as they outscored Kentucky Christian 27 to 12. This was done by playing intensive defense and making their shots when it counted. Reinhardt caught up around four minutes left and then hit the gas peddle to go up eleven. Reinhardt would keep this lead the entire last four minutes and finish out the game with a much-need conference win, 81-70.

The Eagles will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon as they have a road game at Tennessee Wesleyan. It will be exciting to see if the Eagles can build on their road game victory.