DANVILLE, Ky. – Rhodes men's basketball defeated Sewanee 78-64 in the opening round of the Southern Athletic Association Conference Tournament on Friday hosted by Centre College.
 
The Lynx improve to 15-11 on the year while the Tigers finish their season with a record of 13-13.
 
Coach Mike DeGeorge's squad came ready to play, and posted the first points in the contest when Ryan Van Hoeck sliced through the lane for a layup to take the early 2-0 lead. Drew Miller added a three at the 18:12 mark to push the Lynx advantage to 5-0. Rhodes continued to build on its lead, embarking on a 13-4 run to push their lead to 12, after a Matt Wagner bucket made the count 20-8 with 11:49 to play.
 
A pair of back-to-back threes from Miller and Brennan Sullivan made the count 30-16 at the 7:12 mark. Rhodes' balanced offensive attack helped the Lynx maintain their lead and the momentum, and a pair of buckets from Luke Collins and Shane Watson closed the half, and gave the Lynx a 40-26 lead to take into the half time.
 
Van Hoeck led the Lynx at the half with 10 points, followed by Watson who netted eight and Miller who added six. The Tigers had three players with six points apiece in Jorden Williams, Marcellus Cardwell and Matt Tome. In the first half the Lynx held their counterparts to 42.1 percent shooting from the field while the Lynx themselves shot 55.6 percent, and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc.
 
Rhodes worked to keep their distance in the second half, keeping the Tigers on their heels with tight defense. The Lynx reached their biggest lead at the 15:23 mark after a pair of threes from Johnny Dunavant and Collins made the count 51-35. Rhodes continued to fight off any Sewanee charges with productive offense and tenacious defense.
 
A Watson lay-in followed by a Dunavant jumper gave the Lynx a 14 point advantage with 2:05 to play, leading 72-58. Rhodes fought to finish out the game strong, and ended the contest with a 14 point advantage, 78-64
 
Van Hoeck led the Lynx with 14 points and three rebounds. Watson netted 11 points and four rebounds for Rhodes in the outing. Collins, Miller and Geoff Livsey each chipped in ten points apiece. The Rhodes bench was essential, as they added 27 points in the contest.
 
The Tigers' Williams recorded a game-high 21 points in the contest, while Cardwell chipped in 16 points.  Sewanee posted a field goal percentage of 47.6 percent, with 38.9 percent from beyond the arc. The Lynx outshot their counterparts, boasting a 51.0 percent field goal average, with 43.8 percent from three point land. Rhodes forced 15 Tiger turnovers, which they turned into 26 points.
 
Rhodes advances to the semi-final round of the SAA tournament. They will face off against Centre College Saturday March 1 at 5 p.m.