MEMPHIS, Tenn. (February 11, 2022) - Feeding off the energy from a raucous student section, the Rhodes Lynx were able to collect a hard-fought win over the Millsaps Majors on Friday night, winning 69-63. The win moves Rhodes to 10-12 (5-7 SAA) on the year while Millsaps falls to 4-18 (2-10 SAA). 

The Lynx put the clamps on Millsaps early on, jumping out to a 7-0 lead at the first media timeout. The Majors were able to fight back and make it a game, eventually tying the game at 13 all with 11 minutes to go in the first. The Majors then took a lead moments later while Rhodes failed to score for more than four minutes. Arness Georgetown II put a stop to the cold streak, and was joined in bucket making by Koki Wiley and a nice layup from Kevin Shen to make it 19-16. Georgetown would score two more times before the half, and Mac James nailed a three with under a minute to go to give Rhodes a 29-26 lead at half. 

The second half was an absolute dogfight as neither team gained a lead of more than four points for ten minutes. That changed when TJ Clayton, Jeremiah Cook, and Jefferson Walker all connected from deep to make it a 55-48 game. Millsaps made a run and pulled within one possession, but team leaders Jalen Essick and Wiley each scored tough baskets to maintain the Rhodes advantage. With under two minutes to go, Georgetown and James both knocked down jumpers, followed by a pair of clutch freebies from Essick to make it 67-61. The Lynx defense limited Millsaps to only three points in the final 2:30 of the game, and were able to pull out the win at 69-63. 

James, who was honored before the game for senior night, led the squad with 16 points. He was joined in double digit scoring by four other Lynx, including fellow senior Kevin Shen (10 points), Georgetown (11 points), Wiley (11 points), and Essick (10 points). 

Rhodes currently sits in the #6 seed for the SAA tournament with two games to play, but could go as high as the #3 seed if all the cards fall into place. They will need to win both of their remaining games to make that happen. Next up is a clash with Birmingham Southern (current #4 seed) on Sunday at home at 3:00 pm central.