SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Rhodes College played their second game in as many nights at the Hotel Paradox Winter Classic in Santa Cruz, California on Saturday. The Lynx scored forty eight second half points in route to an 86-70 win over George Fox University (Or.).  
 
The Lynx improve to 8-2 on the year, while the Bruins fall to 2-6 in 2014.
 
Coach Mike DeGeorge's squad worked to stave off the hot shooting George Fox squad. By the 16:43 mark, Luke Collins gave the Lynx a three point lead when he weaved through traffic in the paint for the lay-in to make the count 8-5. But a Jonny Howard trey 10 seconds later erased the Lynx advantage. This pattern continued in the first half, with a the Lynx pushing to a narrow lead, only to see the Bruins deep accuracy etch away at the Rhodes advantage.
 
At the 9:29 mark, Brennan Sullivan knocked down a three of his own to give Rhodes a 28-23 lead. The Lynx fought, but couldn't stop the deep Bruin shooting, as a JJ Lacey three with 4:09 to play gave George Fox a 36-33 lead.
 
A four point run to end the half, with a pair of free throws from Drew Miller and a layup from Ryan Van Hoeck knotted the contest at 38-38 to head into the break. 
 
At the half, the Lynx were shooting 38.7 percent from the field to their counterparts 46.7 percent. George Fox also connected on 9-of-19 three's in the opening period. Rhodes 13-of-16 from the charity stripe helped the Lynx offensive totals, while the Bruins only shot two first half free throws.
 
The Lynx made quick work of the second half, scoring five straight points, with a Geoff Livsey layup and a Van Hoeck old fashioned three point play to take the early 43-38 lead just a minute into the half.
 
Working to pad their lead, a Sullivan three and anther three-point Van Hoeck play gave Rhodes a 14 point edge with 14:39 to play at 53-39. Fighting off the Bruins charges, Van Hoeck gave the Lynx the momentum they needed after a three straight scores, including a dunk, to give Rhodes a 76-65 lead with 2:20 to play.
 
A second Van Hoeck slam and a pair of Collins free throws put the finishing touches on win down the stretch in the Lynx 86-70 rout of the Bruins.
 
Van Hoeck led the Lynx, and all scorers with 26 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals. Livsey tallied up 19 points to go with five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Miller posted 14 points and three steals while Collins chipped in 11 points towards the Lynx totals.
 
Joshua Caddel led the Bruins charge with 15 points, followed by 12 points from Jonny Howard.
 
Rhodes shot 42.6 percent from the field in the contest, while George Fox fired 43.4 percent in the outing, with a 42.9 three point percentage. The Lynx forced 19 turnovers from their opponents, which they capitalized, with 30 points off turnovers.
 
Rhodes will return to action after the holiday break as they travel to Lipscomb University on Jan. 5.