ATLANTA, Ga. (February 6, 2022) - After a sluggish start, the Rhodes Lynx were able to bounce back with a strong second half to take their tenth straight game, defeating the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels by a score of 69-63 on Sunday afternoon. The win improves Rhodes to 17-2 (9-0 SAA) on the year, while Oglethorpe falls to 8-14 (4-6 SAA).  

Rhodes has grown accustomed to jumping out to early leads during their win streak, but the Petrels switched things up in this one. Oglethorpe scored the first six points of the game, and kept the Lynx off the scoreboard for three minutes until Alli Mayeux connected on a layup. That was followed by a Libby Long three and a Taya Lee make in the paint, giving Rhodes a 7-6 lead. However, that would be the end of the scoring for Rhodes as they went ice cold and did not score for the last six minutes of the quarter. Oglethorpe took a 13-7 lead into the second period. 

The Lynx looked better in the second quarter, converting on four of their first five possessions before the media timeout. Lee and A'Niya Lagarde were responsible for the first eight points of the quarter for Rhodes. The Oglethorpe lead reached as high as seven points on two separate occasions, but a layup from Ellen Hagen and a Long three kept Rhodes within striking distance. Still, by the time the first-half buzzer sounded, the Petrels held a 28-22 advantage. 

Whatever head coach Rodney Rogan said at halftime worked, because the Lynx came out with a purpose in the third quarter. Both teams hit a two and a three to start things off, followed by three free throws from Hagen and a long three from Mayeux to cut the score to 35-33. After an Oglethorpe three-point play Hagen connected on another three, with a Lagarde jumper to follow to make it 40-39. Hagen then drilled yet another triple to tie things up at 42 moments later. A three-point play from Lee and two free throws right before the end of the quarter gae Rhodes the 47-42 lead with one quarter remaining. Rhodes scored 25 points in the quarter on 46% shooting, 50% from three, and 7-9 free throws. 

The Petrels pulled within three in the first few minutes of action in the fourth, but Rhodes was able to counter with back-to-back buckets from Mayeux and Lagarde. Oglethorpe continued to stick around, hitting big shots when needed. Halfway through the quarter, they had pulled within two on two separate occasions, and then got within one after Jessamy Gaetnos connected on a three to make the score 57-56. The Petrels were a little too aggressive on defense on the next three possessions, putting the Lynx on the line. Lagarde and Hagen did a great job of knocking down clutch free throws, and eventually built the Rhodes lead back up to 64-59. With under a minute to go, Oglethorpe was forced to foul, and again, it was Lagarde and Hagen stepping up in a big way for Rhodes, converting 5-6 chances to seal the 69-63 win. 

Lagarde was a force in this one, finishing with a line of 19 points on 50% shooting with 17 rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Hagen also turned in a loaded box score with 17 points, four assists and two steals. Mayeux added a double double, finishing with 11 points and 12 rebounds. 

This was the final road game on the regular season schedule for Rhodes. They have three home games remaining, all at Mallory Gymnaisum. The three seniors will be honored prior to the Millsaps game on Friday, February 11 at 6:00pm. The Lynx will then host Birmingham Southern on Sunday, February 13 at 1:00 pm. The season will wrap-up on Tuesday against Hendrix, with a 6:00 scheduled tipoff.