Memphis - Rhodes men's basketball trailed the University of Dallas 46-39 at halftime, but the Lynx put up a 65-49 second half to power their way past the Crusaders 104-95. Winning their final game of 2017 gives them a 6-5 overall record headed into conference play this week. 

Dallas took an early 19-9 lead after eight minutes of play until the Lynx pulled within two points trailing 27-25 with 6:42 to go in the half. Dallas put a seven-point cushion on the Lynx by halftime with included three fast-break dunks by the game's leading scorer Spencer Levi. Levi finished the game with 30 points. He went 12-of-13 in the field with a total of five dunks and six-of-seven at the free throw line line. He also tallied 13 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals.

Dallas led 52-43 in what would be their largest lead of the second half before Rhodes tied the game, connecting on three treys in a row. Two of those were from Vaughn Samson and the other Jake Nestlehutt. After a free throw gave Dallas a very brief advantage, the Lynx took the lead after a layup from Sampson and went on to lead 70-61 after Owen Galvin netted a three-pointer with 12:26 to go. Dallas began to scratch their way back and after taking a 79-78 lead on a layup by Darrius Colvin, Rhodes secured an 86-80 advantage with 5:43 left to play. 

With both teams in double bonus, the final five minutes saw a total of 20 free throws. Levi made a free throw to give Dallas a one-point lead but Galvin's layup with 3:11 to go sparked a nine-point run to put the Lynx up for good.

In the game, Rhodes attempted 89 shots while Dallas attempted 51. The Crusaders shot 60.8% in the field, making 31 buckets, none of which came from outside the arc. Rhodes netted six treys in each half, going from 30% accuracy in the field overall in the first half to 53.8% accuracy in the second half. 

The Lynx capitalized on Dallas' 28 turnovers, securing 30 points and 14 steals. Fifteen of Anesu Nyawata's team-leading 20 points came in the second half. Samson finished the game with 17 points and five rebounds, going 7-of-10 in the field. He missed just one of his four trey attempts. Preston Giroux recorded 16 points on six of nine attempts to go along with his seven rebounds. Also recording double digits was Galvin who recorded 13 of his 15 total points in the second half. Daniel Darst was big for the Lynx offense with eight points, eight rebounds (six offensive) and four assists.

Rhodes will head to Hendrix College Tuesday, January 2 to begin conference play. The Lynx are scheduled to begin SAA play at 5 p.m.