Eagles Take Shot at AAC Leaders

Photo by G-Rox Photography

Waleska, GA - Reinhardt Men's Basketball hosted AAC leader, Union Bulldogs, at the Brown Athletic Center on Thursday evening to kick off the second half of the 2022-23 season. Those in attendance saw one of the best games ever played at the Brown where the Eagles would come up short of winning the game on the final shot. The game ended with the Eagles coming up short 89-87 in attempts to take down the AAC leader.

The Bulldogs were bringing a stout 10-0 record into the game, but the Eagles have been getting healthy and playing together better in their last few conference games. If tonight's game is an indicator of how this team is playing - then the second half is going to be fun to watch as the team moves up the standings.

The Eagles had four players in double figures scoring and two just outside with 9 points each.  Jalin Wimberly led the Eagles scoring 21 points. Tyler Smith was a huge spark coming off the bench scoring 14 points and none bigger than a crushing two-handed slam with just twenty seconds left which brought the Eagles within one point, 88-87.

Tafari Thomas and Nate Louis scored 12 and 11 points respectively. Greg Hobbs and Antonio Spencer both had 9 points each just narrowly missing double-figure scoring. Hobbs had a great game running the show for the Eagles and scoring when he had the opportunity, but he was a beast on defense. He had the task of guarding AAC Player of the Year, Markelle Turner, and there is no doubt Hobbs disrupted Turner's game allowing the Eagles to stay in the game to the very end.

The Bulldogs pulled out to an early 10-0 lead on the Eagles in the first three minutes of the game, however, the Eagles fought their way back bringing the game to within just three points, 15-12.  Coach Newton's Eagles made a statement right there that they were not going to let this game get away from them and they were going to be there until the end. 

The game would stay this way for the rest of the first half and the Eagles would only trail the Bulldogs 43-38 at the halftime break.

The second half saw the Bulldogs able to get a lead of around twelve points with about fifteen minutes left in the second half, but the Eagles never got rattled and battled their way back into the game.  The Eagles would never have the lead in the game, which did take its toll on the team -  but they never waivered and they kept fighting right up until the very last seconds of the game. The last minute of the second half was just like two heavyweight fighters battling in the final round trying to get a knockout blow. After a free throw miss by Union with just four two seconds left, The Eagles were able to get the last look. They moved the ball quickly up the court finding the "hot hand" of Jalin Wimberly who pulled up on the left wing just outside the three-point arc. Wimberly's three-pointer looked perfect as it headed for the rim, but it was not meant to be in this game for the Eagles. Wimberly's shot would narrowly miss striking the back of the iron and bouncing out giving the Bulldogs the win.

Although they came up short, the Eagles played the game like it was supposed to be played. Wimberly was definitely the leader on the floor for the Eagles, but it was a great team effort and each played their part in making it a fantastic game. The Eagles will have to put this game behind them quickly so they can get ready for Tennessee Wesleyan to visit Waleska on Saturday afternoon.