MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Rhodes basketball defeated Schriener University 70-67 on Saturday in the opening day of the Thanksgiving Crowne Plaza Classic.
 
The win moves the Lynx to 2-3 on the year while the Mountaineers fall to 1-5.
 
Rhodes opened the game in command, getting an early basket with a Geoff Livsey lay-in to start the contest. The Lynx continued to build on the lead, grabbing the 10-4 advantage after a Drew Miller three pointer. At the 7:03 mark, a Michael Gallagher three pointer put the Lynx up 24-16. Propelled by another Gallagher three at 5:18, Rhodes continued to widen the gap, grabbing a 13 point lead.
 
In the first half the Lynx dominated from the field, shooting 75 percent from beyond the three point arc and over 65 percent from the field. Rhodes' first half was led by Gallagher, who had a prefect three for three from beyond the three point line. Miller added seven first half points and Luke Collins contributed six.  
 
Rhodes couldn't lay the Mountaineers to rest, as the Lynx suffered a sluggish start in the second half and quickly saw their 18 point lead melt away. The Mountaineers clawed back to within one point at the 11:34 mark when AJ Myers converted a fastbreak layup to make the score 47-46. Rhodes held tight to its lead, never relinquishing control. The Lynx went on am 8-2 run behind a pair of lay-ins from Johhny Dunavant and Tate sledge. Schriner continued to fight, but a perfect 16 of 16 from the free throw line in the second half gave the Lynx the edge they needed. Rhodes closed out the contest on a pair of Livsey free throws to make the final count 70-67.
 
Rhodes finished the contest with an impressive 91 percent conversion rate from the free throw line, shooting 21-23. The Lynx' hot streak shooting from the first half cooled down to a game average of 49 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the three point line.
 
Schreiner finished the game with a 49 percent average from the field. The Mountaineers were led in scoring by Myers, who had a game high 26 points. Stevan Guerrero added 12 points with Grant Clark adding double digit numbers with 10 points.
 
Livsey led the Lynx with 16 points, and has now led Rhodes in scoring in its past four contests. The junior also pulled down 10 rebounds to earn the first Lynx double-double of the season. Collins added 10 points to the Lynx total with Miller and Gallagher each tallying up nine a piece.
 
Rhodes will close out the Thanksgiving Crowne Plaza Classic on Sunday Dec. 1 as they face Rust College at 3 p.m.