MEMPHIS - A cold free throw shooting day combined with a Austin Rohde basket with 11 seconds to play downed the Rhodes College men's basketball team as they fell to Bluffton, 102-100, on Saturday afternoon at Mallory Gymnasium. 

Rhodes was terrific in nearly all offensive categories on Saturday, shooting 42 of 72 from the field (58%), 11 of 24 (45%) from deep to go with 66 bench points and only 16 turnovers. The biggest catalyst was at the free throw line as the Lynx went an abysmal 5 of 16 (31%).

On the other side, the Beavers were red hot all afternoon, shooting 62% from the field and 44% from three. Bluffton was one of the first teams this season to protect the ball well, only turning it over 17 times, a season low for Rhodes thus far this season. 

It was a back and forth first quarter with Bluffton lead 21-20 early on. The Lynx went on a 7-0 run behind five straight points from senior Brennan Sullivan and a bucket in the paint from junior Ian Harrison to take a 27-21 lead.

The Beavers got back into it and were able to tie the contest at 35 with 7:12 remaining in the first half. Bluffton proceeded to go on a 13-2 run behind excellent shooting to take the largest lead of the game at 48-37.

Rhodes buckled down defensively and heated up on the other end to close the gap, outscoring Bluffton 19-12 in the final minutes to make it a 60-56 deficit at the break.

Bluffton continued to cling to their lead, but Rhodes came storming back in the second half. Back-to-back three's from Sullivan gave Rhodes a 70-68 lead with under 15 to play. 

From there, it was a battle of wills as each team exchanged baskets back-and-forth. No team led by more than four points all throughout the second half. With under seven minutes to play, Rhodes took a four point lead after back-to-back baskets from senior J.J. Weir and Harrison. They maintained that four point lead with less than five to play at 95-91.

However, Bluffton responded with an 8-0 run to take a 99-91 lead. A layup from junior Anesu Nyawata followed by a three from Sullivan tied the game at 100 with 1:15 to play.

After exchanging possessions, Rohde hit the go-ahead shot. The Lynx got a look from Sullivan in the corner, but it went just long as the Beavers held on for the two point win.

Sullivan had a great day finishing with 17 points including 6 of 10 from the field and 5 of 8 from three. Nyawata added 16 points on 6 of 8 shooting while Harrison picked up his third straight double-double with 12 points and 10 boards. Freshman Bryce Berry scored nine points while sophomore Daniel Darst and Weir each had eight.

Weir had a career-high 14 assists while freshman Mitch Weatherford had six. Senior Tyler Gee had a pair of steals and two blocks.

Jared Wentling led Bluffton with 19 points while Rohde had 17 points and nine boards. Trey Elchert also had 18 points.

Rhodes moves to 2-2 on the young year and will return to action tomorrow afternoon as they take on Louisiana College at 2 PM following the Bluffton and Millsaps.