MEMPHIS - The Rhodes College men's basketball team clinched their third Southern Athletic Association Regular Season Title under Mike DeGeorge as they defeated the Sewanee Tigers 113-97 on Sunday afternoon at Mallory Gymnasium.

With the win, and Centre's loss to Hendrix earlier in the day, the Lynx not only clinched at least a share of the title, but officially earned the right to host the SAA Championship in two weeks at Mallory Gymnasium. Rhodes can win the title outright with a win at Hendrix next week.

The Lynx shot a blistering 67% from the field and 44% from deep. Rhodes only took 18 3-point attempts, by far a season low, but dominated the paint with 60 points inside of it to Sewanee's 48. Rhodes forced 27 Tigers turnovers on the afternoon.

Rhodes caught fire early on, shooting up towards 80% and forcing numerous Sewanee turnovers to go ahead 20-9. The lead only grew to 30-11 as Rhodes got an array of scoring from all sorts of players.

Sewanee settled in and tried to keep pace with Rhodes, but the Lynx continued to maintain their lead of 20 or more all throughout the first half, continuously getting easy looks at the basket. 

Freshmen Jake Nestlehutt and Nick de Feria each connected on three 3-pointers, scoring 11 and 9 in the first half respectively, while junior Ian Harrison scored eight to give Rhodes a 63-42 lead at the break.

The second half was hampered by whistles and stoppages due to fouls and turnovers. Despite the slowed down pace, Rhodes continued to maintain a 15 point lead or more.

Sewanee made one big run at the Lynx, getting the game down to 10 with 7:31 to play. 

But all the work it took for the Tigers to get even that close, took a toll as Rhodes go to the free throw line on its next four possessions and got a huge ane one possession by Harrison to take the lead back out to 18 and close the game and the championship.

Harrison led teh way with 15 points, three blocks, and two steals while senior Tyler Gee had 13 points. Sophomore Daniel Darst scored 12 while freshman Mitch Weatherford scored 11 to go with six assists as well as Nestlehutt adding 11 as well. Senior J.J. Weir finished with eight assists and two steals while freshman Kendrick
Ashby had four steals.

The Lynx are now 13-10 overall and 10-3 in the SAA. They have won six straight contests. 

The tournament will be in Memphis February 24th, 25th, and 26th and more information will come available in the next two weeks via rhodeslynx.com and saa-sports.com.

Before then, one more game remains for the Lynx as they look to close the conference season with the regular season title won outright, taking on Hendrix on the road Saturday at 7 PM.