Sunday February 6th was a must-win game for the Rhodes Lynx if they had any hopes of making the SCAC conference tournament.  Coming off a heartbreaking loss on Friday, the Lynx struggled to find the appropriate energy and focus.  An inspired halftime talk from Head Coach Mike DeGeorge may have been the turning point, as the Lynx used their defense in the second half to fight off the Tigers.  Rhodes nipped the University of the South Tigers 57 to 54.

It was obviously hard for the Lynx to get up for another contest after such a defeat on Friday, but if there was any game to be ready for it would be Sunday.  Rhodes came out flat, and although they stayed in the game for the first twenty minutes, the Lynx were not playing to the same caliber as the previous night.  A running three-point shot by Sophomore Andrew Galow with the halftime buzzer sounding closed the gap.  Rhodes trailed 33 - 30 heading into the break.  Galow had 12 points in the first half and finished the game with 14.

The effort in the first half was unacceptable, and Head Coach Mike DeGeorge was not going to allow the season to end like this.  After expressing different keys to pulling out the victory, the Lynx leader gave an inspired speech in hopes of rallying the troops for the last twenty minutes.

Although the Lynx struggled offensively all night, the defensive woke up in the second half.  Each possession saw the host Tigers getting into the last ten seconds of the shot clock and having to shoot contested jumpers.  Rhodes defensive was stubborn and held Sewanee to 21 second half points on 29% shooting.

With under 20 seconds remaining, the Lynx were on the defensive end and the Tigers were looking to make a last second miracle like they did in the last meeting on January 2nd at Rhodes.  Two deep three pointers missed the mark, a rebound by Johnny Dunavant and two free throws sealed the deal for the Lynx.  With the win, Rhodes playoff hopes are still alive as they need to defeat one of their last three opponents and Sewanee lose their last 3 games.

The Lynx were sparked off the bench by Junior Kory Kilpatrick (9 points and 5 rebounds), and Sophomores Joey Miller and Theo Hartwell.  Miller had 6 points and 5 rebounds in 16 minutes of action, while Hartwell added 10 points and 5 rebounds in 22 minutes.

In order to make the conference tournament, the Lynx are going to have to beat arguably one of the best three teams in the SCAC.  They will host Birmingham Southern on Saturday February 12th and conclude the regular season at home against Centre and DePauw on the weekend of Friday the 18th.