Box Score DANVILLE, Ken. (January 30, 2022) - The Rhodes men's basketball team experienced a rollercoaster of emotion on Sunday afternoon, tying the game late before a foul call and two ensuing free throws ended their attempt at a comeback win on the road against Centre. The loss drops the Lynx to 9-10 (4-5 SAA), while the Colonels improve to 10-8 (4-4 SAA). 

Koki Wiley was on a mission heading into the game, scoring the first six points for Rhodes. Jalen Essick would then add a jumper before the first media timeout to give the Lynx an 8-2 lead heading into the first break. In the next segment, the two teams traded buckets, with the Colonels able to chip away at the lead a little bit, pulling within two at 13-11 thanks to a David Gerald putback.Moments later, Centre was able to score seven straight points to take their first lead of the game at 21-18. Both team traded buckets for the next few minutes, before Mac James and Zavien Williams each nailed triples to tie things up at 26. Centre managed to convert on a few late possessions to take a lead, which Jaden Walker cut into with a pull-up jumped, making it a 33-30 game heading into halftime. 

Rhodes only managed to hit 10-25 shots from the floor int he first half, good for 40%. Centre did not fair any better, checking in with 13-34 (38.4%). Both team shot under 30% from three in the first half. 

Jalen Williams and RJ Smith connected on the first two possessions for Centre to start the second half. Essick and Arness Georgetown II were able to convert on back-to-back possessions to keep it close, Following the media timeout, the Colonels got five straight points from Smith and Gerald to create the first double-digit lead of the game. With Centre up by eleven with ten minutes to go, Rhodes received a boost from Jayson Williams on a driving layup, followed by a three-point play from Essick, and then two more free throws from Essick. RJ Smith cut off the Lynx scoring run with a layup, but Essick was quick to respond with four straight points, making the score 55-54. Centre would then go on a 6-0 run, extending their lead to seven. Again, the Lynx showed their toughness by battling back. Georgetown was able to connect on a driving layup, followed by a massive three from TJ Clayton. Another Georgetown bucket then tied the game with two minutes to go. 

The next two possessions saw two each team knock down two free throws to keep it knotted. Smith then made one of two free throws to regain the lead for Centre. Rhodes had a shot to take the lead with 15 seconds to go, but missed on a shot in the paint. Rhodes was then forced to foul, leading to two more free throws for Smith, giving the Colonels a three-point lead. Coming out of a timeout, Rhodes drew up a play to get Wiley open for three, and the senior captain came through, touching nothing but nylon to tie things up with five seconds to go. Unfortunately, Smith took the inbounds pass coast to coast, and drew a questionable foul call from the referee with under a second to go. Smith knocked down both free throws to give Centre the 68-66 win.

Essick led the team in scoring for the third straight game, pouring in 16 points to go with four rebounds and three assists. Wiley also finished in double digits with 13 points. 

Next up for the Lynx is another road trip next weekend. Rhodes will visit Berry Colege on Friday, February 4 and then play Oglethorpe on February 6.