MEMPHIS, Tenn. (February 26, 2022) - The historic run for the Rhodes Lynx will continue for another day as they defeated the Centre Colonels by a score of 74-66 in overtime on Saturday. The win, Rhodes' 15th in a row, moves them to 22-2 on the season. Centre's year will come to an end at 11-14.

The game started slow with both teams struggling to make shots early on. The pace picked up with a few minutes to go in the first quarter, however. With the game tied at eight, Catherine Althoff was able to convert on a nifty post move to give Rhodes a lead. Following a pair of A'Niya Lagarde free throws and a Centre bucket, Lagarde cashed a running 35-footer at the buzzer to give the Lynx a 15-10 advantage after one. 

Centre dominated the beginning of the second quarter, with their defense limiting the Lynx to only one made field goal in the first five minutes. A steal by Alli Mayeux led to a fast break layup for Alexys Mathangani, who was also fouled and completed the and-one. On Rhodes' next possession, Ellen Hagen knocked down a huge three to put the Lynx back on top, 24-22. In the final three minutes of the half, Rhodes went on a 10-1 run that included threes from Libby Long and Mayeux to take a 34-26 lead into the locker room.

Another slow start to the third quarter plagued the Lynx as they didn't record a made field goal until a Long three at the 6:35 mark. After Centre converted on back-to-back possessions, Mathangani knocked down a huge three to make it a six-point game. The Colonels responded by making three shots in the paint on three consecutive possessions to make it a one possession game. An Althoff three with a minute to go in the third halted the momentum, but Centre still won the quarter, outscoring Rhodes 19-15.

This time it was the Rhodes defense locking down field goal conversions, as they kept Centre from making a shot until the six-minute mark in the fourth. The only problem was that shot sparked a six-point rally for the Colonels that tied the game at 54. Form there it was an absolute slugfest as the teams answered each other's makes, misses and turnovers. A layup from Mathangani put Rhodes up four with 75 seconds to play, but Centre was not done. Presley Chirico converted on a jumper, and after a Rhodes miss, Chirico calmly hit two free throws with 30 seconds left in te game. Each team had one more crack at the win, but neither converted, leading to overtime. 

Rhodes dominated the final period, outscoring the Colonels 12-4. The Lynx defense held Centre to 2-9 shooting in the extra frame, and countered on offense by going 3-5 from the field and a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe. Althoff led the way with six points in overtime. 

Althoff was dominant in this one, fiishing with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. Lagarde added another double-double to her resume with 14 points and 11 boards. Hagen and MAyeux chipped in with ten points each. 

Rhodes will face the #6 seed Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels in Sunday's championship game after they defeated the #2 seed Berry Vikings 63-55 in the late afternoon game. Tipoff for the SAA Championship is scheduled for 2:00 pm central from Mallory Gymnasium.