And the Win Streak Continues!

David Finney - photo by G-Rox Photography

Waleska, GA -  This was a match-up to watch, as the Eagles and Bulldogs faced each other last season in conference tournament play which finished with the Eagles ending their season in the semi-finals of the AAC Conference tournament. The Reinhardt Eagles put their five-game win streak on the line as they faced the Bulldogs of Tennessee Wesleyan, Wednesday evening at The Brown Athletic Center. 

Both teams would start the first half trading baskets where the Eagles were led by Dereck Lampkin (10 points) and Kristian Collins (13 points) . Marcus Kirkland stepped in and would hit a free throw and a layup which gave Reinhardt an early lead. Kristian Collins came off the bench to hit a big three-pointer and minutes later another three-pointer by Jamison Syphore put the Eagles up by seven midway through the first half (19-12) with 10:09 left on the clock.  

Tennessee Wesleyan would answer back with quick guard play and a few timely layups keeping the game within striking distance. However, Collins would not allow this to happen as he hit another three-pointer around the eight-minute mark. This would secure the Eagles' largest lead of the game at nine points. Eventually, Tennessee Wesleyan would work their way back into the game evening the score at 31-31 with a couple of minutes left in the first half. Jalin Wimberly would throw down a thunderous dunk under the basket assisted by Kirkland kicking the game up a notch just before halftime. This brought enthusiasm to the Eagle supporters and set a tone for the second half.  Reinhardt would take a 37 to 33 lead into the half. 

The second half would start similar to the first half with both teams trading baskets.  Kirkland would continue doing a lot of damage from the free-throw line when he hit a series of free-throws early in the second half, however, a few missed shots and costly turnovers by the Eagles allowed Tennessee Wesleyan to make a little run of their own making the score 46-42 with Eagles down. Wimberly, Kirkland, and Collins brought defensive energy to hold the Bulldogs to their five-point led. Wimberly had another dunk to spark the Eagles' come back followed by two layups by Kirkland and another deep three from Collins. 

With missed opportunities and unfortunately technical fouls by the Eagles, the game would stay tight until Collins hits another three-pointer with 3:52 left in the game giving the Eagles a seven-point spread (76-69). The dagger came around the one-minute mark when Josh Press shot a long three-pointer from the corner. As the ball swished through the net, the tension was released from The Brown Athletic Center. Coach Newton and his squad could feel a huge conference win and a continuation of the streak was extended to six, as the Eagles finished on top with a win over the Bulldogs 84-74. 

Reinhardt would end up with four players scoring in double figures on the night. Lampkin and Wimberly would have 15 each. Kirkland collected 18 points and went 8 for 10 from the charity stripe helping the Eagles secure the victory. Collins led the Eagle offense, coming off the bench, to score 24 and was red hot from the three-point line 6-7. 

Reinhardt has a week off before they suit up again next Wednesday at 5 pm when Bethel University (Indiana) visits Waleska. 

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