Memphis, Tennessee ~ Rhodes College could not overcome a slow starting first half in route to a 72-86 home loss against Oglethorpe University today. Rhodes shot just 37% in the first half, and their defense was porous allowing Oglethorpe to shoot 55% in the half.
Oglethorpe started the scoring in the first half with a bucket, but the Lynx came right back as freshman Andrew Galow (Oswego, IL) connected on three pointer to give the Lynx a one point lead. The Stormy Petrels scored four straight before a layup by junior Nathan Ollie (Memphis, TN) stopped the short run and pulled the Lynx to within one. Senior Reid Hamilton (Birmingham, AL)scored on the Lynx next possession to give the Lynx their last lead of the game at 7-6. Over the next three minutes Oglethorpe scored the next 11 points and built a 17-7 lead before Galow stopped the scoring draught with a layup with just under 14 minutes left to play. Over the next five minutes, Oglethorpe used a 13-3 run to build a 20 point lead. Andyshea Saberioon's (Houston, TX) three pointer at the 7:45 mark cut the lead to 17 but the Petrels went on another run and pushed the lead to 29 before a Kory Kilpatrick (Athens, GA) stopped the run. A Kilpatrick steal and dunk cut the lead to 24 before Oglethorpe scored the final four points of the half and went to the locker room with a commanding 50-24 lead.
Kilpatrick opened the second half with a layup for Rhodes, but Oglethorpe knocked down one of their 12 three pointers on its next possession and pushed the lead back to 27. The teams traded baskets over the next few minutes. Rhodes slowly trimmed the lead, and Kilpatrick three pointer at the 12 minute mark pulled the Lynx to within 20. The Lynx continued to battle and eventually pulled to with 12 off a three by Ollie at the two minute mark. After two Oglethorpe free throws, Ollie scored of a mid range jumper to pull the Lynx to with 11 but the Petrels connected on 5 of 6 free throws to close out the game with an 86-72 victory.
On the game, the Lynx were led by Kilpatrick's game high 22 points. He also added 8 rebounds for the Lynx. Hamilton recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Ollie finished with 14 points for Rhodes. Rhodes shot 42% for the game from the field but could never overcome the shaky first half start and allowed Oglethorpe to shoot 49% from the field for the game.
BOX SCORE
Rhodes will be back in action on Saturday, February 13th in Birmingham, Alabama as they take on SCAC leader Birmingham Southern College. Tipoff is scheduled for 5pm. The Lynx will play their final home game of the year on Monday, February 15th against Freewill Baptist College with a 7pm tipoff.
