Eagles Cool Off Before Christmas Break

David FInney  |  photo by G-Rox Photography

Waleska, GA -   The Reinhardt Eagles were coming off a six-game win streak when they played an afternoon matchup with nonconference opponent, Bethel University from Indiana. This would be the final game before going into the Christmas break of what has been a successful first half to the 2021-22 basketball season. 

Bethel would prove to be tough competition for Reinhardt as soon as the ball was tipped. The Pilots would start an early run just a few minutes into the first half when they jumped out to an early seven-point lead. Reinhardt would try to answer, but the shots were not falling to start the game. The lead would be extended to fifteen points with around twelve minutes left in the half. Reinhardt would make a run to chip away at the lead when Nate Louis hit a series of free throws and layups to bring the lead back down to six points. The intensity was high by the Eagles and they pressured Bethel with a full-court press most of the first half. They were able to get some turnovers from this, however, Bethel's shooters were on target for this game and the lead soon went to double digits again. The Eagles would go into halftime down 50-33.

Reinhardt had a tough hill to climb being down by seventeen starting the second half, but there was no quit in the team. Jalin Wimberly would help the efforts of Louis trying to get a spark going for the Eagles, but it was never to be. It seemed every time Reinhardt would get the lead down to a manageable level - the Pilots would answer with a run of their own. The closest Reinhardt would get was ten points. Bethel had a tremendous night behind the three-point line shooting almost 47%. The three-point line ended up being the Achilles heel for Reinhardt when they shot just 30%, Normally, the three-point line is one of the Eagles' strong points, but it would just not go down for them tonight. The game would end with Reinhardt on the losing side 90-76.

The Eagles did have four players in double-digit scoring for the game. Nate Louis would lead Reinhardt with 17 and Jalin Wimberly would add 16. Also in double figures was Kristian Collins with 13 and Jamison Syphore at 12.

Coach Newton and his staff have had a very successful start to this season and take an overall 8-6 record and 6-3 conference record into the break. The break will give time for the team to recuperate and heal before coming back to campus after Christmas.  Although this loss is a small setback for the Eagles, there is still plenty of season left and the remaining schedule is heavy with conference games where Reinhardt has had much success. The Eagles will face one other nonconference opponent when Tennessee Southern visits Weleska at 5 pm on December 30th and then it is time for the conference run.