MEMPHIS - For the first time in school history, the Rhodes College men's basketball team won the conference tournament championship, defeating Birmingham-Southern in a thrilling game on Sunday afternoon, 98-95, at Mallory Gymnasium.

For four seniors, who suffered ultimate heartbreak two years ago in this very championship on that very floor, they found a way to close the chapter their way; as champions. 

The program clinched their 10th regular season title, but this particular team finally clinched that elusive tournament title that thwarted them for so long.

And what a way to win their first conference tournament championship, by closing out the defending SAA Champions.

It certainly wasn't easy.

The Lynx shot 41% from the field and 25% from downtown while going 20 of 30 from the free throw line. The Lynx were out rebounded 52-45, but forced 23 Panther turnovers while getting 53 points from their bench and 21 points off turnovers.

Birmingham-Southern, who played two grueling games to get to this point in the season, put together a great performance and gave the Lynx everything they could handle. BSC took the early 8-4 lead before five straight points by sophomore Vaughn Samson made it a 9-8 game.

The Panthers had a response, going on a 6-0 run to move ahead 14-9, but back-to-back lay ups from junior Anesu Nyawata and senior Andrew Lowrie made it a one point game. 

BSC continued to maintain their lead, pushing it out to a six points lead around the 10 minute mark, but Rhodes closed the gap to thanks in part to a 14-1 run as senior Tyler Gee began to heat up in the paint while getting a 3-pointer from sophomore Will McIntyre and lay ups from junior Price Dalton and sophomore Kendrick Ashby pushing the lead to 38-31.

The Panthers got it down to one, but Rhodes got the lead back out to eight, countering BSC's run with runs of their own. Rhodes closed the half with back-to-back 3-pointers from sophomore Daniel Darst and senior J.J. Weir while freshman Mitch Weatherford connected on a free throw for a 56-46 lead at the break.

Weatherford opened the second half with a three pointer to bring the lead to a game-high 13, but BSC cut into the deficit and got it down to 65-60 five minutes into the second half.

Ashby, Weatherford, and freshman Bryce Berry helped push the lead back out to 10 while junior Ian Harrison helped maintain that lead with back-to-back buckets in the paint.

The Panthers got it down to four with around eight minutes to go, but freshman Nick De Feria countered with a 3-pointer. The Panthers then got it down to three at the under six mark, but again, Rhodes had an answer as Darst connected on a 3-pointer this time.

Leading 86-80, BSC went on an 8-2 run to tie the game at 88 and eventually took the lead at 90-89 with 3:09 to play. McIntyre scored on the other end to put Rhodes back ahead, but BSC countered to go back up 91-90. 

Gee had a layup on the other end to move ahead 93-92, but the Panthers got to the free throw line, connecting on 1 of 2 to tie the game with 1:31 to play.

Senior Brennan Sullivan, who was quiet for most of the tournament, drew a foul and hit two clutch field goals to make it 95-93. On the other end, the SAA Defensive Player of the Year, Gee, came away with a steal to give Rhodes the ball with 51 seconds left.

After a busted possession, the Lynx defense stepped up and made a stop when it needed it most as Gee pulled down the rebound with seven seconds left to send the crowd into a frenzy. Sullivan hit a pair of free throws for the four point lead with four seconds left and despite trading baskets, Rhodes walked away champions with the 98-95 win.

Gee was named Tournament MVP after finishing the championship game with a double-double, going for 13 points and 10 rebounds including two steals and a block. Weatherford led all scorers with 14 points and seven assists while Harrison added 11 points and Darst finished with 10 points, seven boards, and two blocks.

Berry and Weir had three steals while Weir, along with De Feria, each had four assists. 

For BSC, Matty Rudak was terrific with 25 points and 14 rebounds while Evan Lewis added 25 points. Harrison Deneka scored 14 while Ian Thom had 11.

For Rhodes, who sit at 17-10, they now await word from the selection committee. They will find out at 11:30 CT where they will play the first and second round games at the NCAA Championship, the first time they've made the big dance since 1992-93. Check rhodeslynx.com tomorrow for up-to-date information on where the Lynx will be heading.