Haynes, Woodroffe, and the Eagles Leave No Doubt

David Finney | photo by G-Rox Photography

Kingsport, TN - After making it past the opening round tournament game with Brenau University, the Eagles found themselves playing Tennessee Wesleyan which they lost to twice during the regular season. Game one was a two-point difference and game two was just by one point and the Eagles had chances to win both of these games with final shots. In the third matchup, they would meet in the quarterfinals of the AAC Tournament and this time the Eagles would leave no doubt who was the better team.  Reinhardt took the win, 63-42, and they have kept their season alive as they move to the semifinals to take on top-seed, Bryan College.

Reinhardt would actually start down in the first quarter as Tennessee Wesleyan hit two three-pointers to start the game. The Eagles would answer back quickly as Abi Haynes started heating up early.  Haynes would keep the Eagles in this game to start as it took some time to get the other Eagles going. Symone Williams would help by hitting a short jumper getting Reinhardt the lead in the game 8-7. The Eagles started pulling away at the end of the first and won the quarter, 13-7.

The Eagles were creating opportunities by playing smothering defense and creating chaos for the Bulldogs. Reinhardt was able to make transition baskets from the forced turnovers and their defense was making Tennessee Wesleyan take some bad shots. The Bulldogs only shot 18% from the field during the game.

Marlie Townley and Julia Craft would play important minutes in the second quarter making shots and pulling down rebounds to help out Haynes' scoring outburst.  Haynes would have 16 points in the first half to help keep the Eagles leading. Reinhardt would take a 31-20 lead into the break.

In the second half, Haynes would cool a bit, however, Ashley Woodroffe would pick up where Haynes left off doing most of her scoring in the second half. She would have 11 of her 13 points in the second half. The eleven-point lead would stay this way through most of the third quarter, but in the final minute - the Eagles were able to start building a lead as it moved to sixteen points. A the end of the third, Reinhardt would have a 49-33 lead.

The fourth quarter would be the deciding factor to see who moved on and if the Eagles could hold onto the lead that they had built.  The defense was still creating turnovers helping Reinhardt get transition baskets. The lead would dip some, but the Eagles were not going to be denied the chance to keep their season going. Reinhardt would finish this one out in dominant fashion getting the lead up to twenty pointst. The final two minutes was time to clear the benches as everyone knew the Eagles were going to win this walking away. 

The Eagles will rest up overnight and prepare for their semifinal game with Bryan. The Eagles are on a seven-game winning streak and they have won nine of their last team. The game will be at 6 pm and can be seen on the AAC Digital Network.