MEMPHIS, Tenn. (January 21, 2022) - The Rhodes Lynx put together arguably their best performance of the year en route to a 87-58 shellacking of the Sewanee Tigers on Friday night at Mallory Gym. The 29-point victory is the Lynx largest of the season. The win moves them to 7-9 (2-4 SAA), while the Tigers fall to 5-9 (2-3 SAA).

Coming into the game, the Tigers were the leading three-point shooting team in the SAA. Head coach Zo Goodson had one goal on defense ... keep them from getting good looks from long distance. The Lynx did just that, limiting Sewanee to 1-5 shooting from three in the first half, and 2-11 in the second. Rhodes was able to add insult to injury by connecting on 9-17 of their own three-point attempts, good for a 52.9% clip. Coach Goodson was especially pleased with his team's on-ball pressure that disrupted the flow of the Tiger offense. 

Rhodes started the game with a layup from Zavien Williams getting the scoreboard hot. That was followed by a Jalen Essick jumper, a Koki Wiley three, and two straight buckets from Mac James. By the time the first media timeout rolled around, it was 15-6. Sewanee made a run following the stoppage in play, pulling as close as two at 18-16, but Jefferson Walker scored down low followed by two freebies from James to extend the lead back out. It was the closest the Tigers would come to taking a lead; Rhodes held an advantage for the entire game. Mac James would add four more points before the half ended, helping Rhodes to a 39-30 lead.

The game got out of hand immediately in the second half as Rhodes opened with an 11-0 run, highlighted by back-to-back corner threes from Williams. With the game out of reach, Goodson was able to get extra run in for his deep bench. Rhodes routinely plays ten guys each game; in tonight's effort, thirteen players scored for the Lynx. "Tonight was a great team effort all around," said Goodson. "We know our depth is key every game. Our system calls for depth and hard work, and our guys displayed that in a big way tonight."

Part of that depth included seldom-used Kris O'Brien, who made the most of his time on the court. In four minutes of action, he recorded a rebound, two points on a tough layup, and a pair of sweet dimes to big man Seth Aeschliman. 

For the game, Rhodes shot 56.7% from the field, 52.9% from three, and 76.9% from the free-throw line. Mac James led the Lynx with eighteen points on 6-8 shooting, and also added three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Essick had 16 points and Williams chipped in 14 as well. 

It was the second straight game with James as the leading scorer. "Mac continues to play incredibly smart basketball and makes everyone around him better," stated Goodson. 

Rhodes will look to continue their hot shooting at home on Sunday afternoon when they host Centre College. Tipoff is set for 3:00 pm.