MEMPHIS, Tenn. (January 23, 2022) - The Rhodes women's basketball team extended two streaks on Sunday with an emphatic 76-56 win over the Centre Colonels on Sunday afternoon. The win was Rhodes' sixth in a row, and also helped them retain an unbeaten mark at Mallory Gymnasium this season, where the Lynx are 8-0. The win moves Rhodes to 13-2 overall, and 5-0 in the SAA. Centre falls to 6-10 (3-3 SAA). 

Rhodes jumped out to an early lead on an Alli Mayeux layup, but then failed to score for the next three minutes. Centre took advantage, jumping out to a 6-2 lead. The Lynx stormed back with seven points from Catherine Althoff in a 90-second span of time to regain the lead. Althoff added two more buckets, plus Libby Long chipped in with two threes to give Rhodes the 21-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

The Lynx went cold in the second quarter, only managing three makes on 16 field goal attempts. They managed to maintain their lead thanks to seven made free throws, but the Colonels won the quarter 15-13. The score at the half was Rhodes 34, Centre 29.

Centre was able to tie the score for the first time since the beginning of the first quarter on a Natalie Duggins free throw at the 7:30 mark. From there, Rhodes went back to their bread and butter, working the ball down low. A'Niya Lagarde cashed in from the paint two times, using a variety of post moves and ball handling. The Lynx then added three free throws from Ellen Hagen to make it 43-38. After a Colonels bucket brought them within three, the Lynx then went on a 11-0 run to establish a cushioned lead. Centre managed a couple of baskets, but again the Lynx responded down low, with Althoff and Mayeux scoring in the paint before the end of the quarter, which wrapped up at 58-45. 

Rhodes began the fourth with a 7-0 run that basically put the game out of reach. Centre was never able to score more than twice in a row thanks to the Rhodes offense clicking on all cylinders, as well as a fantastic defensive effort from the Lynx. By the end of four, Rhodes took home the win, 76-56.

Head coach Rodney Rogan was pleased with his team's effort on the defensive end. He stated that one of his team's goals was to limit the opportunities for Presley Chirico, Centre's leading scorer (12.2 ppg). They did just that, holding her to 4-12 from the field and eight points. He was also high on the play of his frontcourt. "Taya (Lee) and Catherine both bring high IQ and anchor the back line of our defense. Our ability to score inside has opened up the floor for other scorers."

He also noted that Althoff has been playing exceptionally well as of late, with averages of 23 points and 9 rebounds per game in the last three contests. "Catherine has put in the extra work on and off the court, and the result is her success. She has put herself in a position to be successful. She is playing with confidence, and makes it hard for other team's to gameplan against us."

The Lynx will hit the road next week, with away games at Sewanee on January 28 and at Centre on January 30.