The Lynx started their weekend off according to plan with a win over the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels on Friday before dropping their Sunday game against the Berry Vikings to go 1-1 on the road trip.
In a 76-65 victory on Friday, all four of the Rhodes players in double-digits had at least 15 points. Jalen Essick, in his first game back in over two weeks, led in scoring and rebounding with a 19 and 11 double-double after going 8-11 (72.7%) from the field. Zavien Williams and Phil Dotson were right behind him, each with 16 points of their own. Dotson led the team in moving the ball, dishing it out for 5 assists.
The Lynx led by as many as 16 late in the first half, but weathered the storm from the Petrels in the second half. Oglethorpe managed to get a 46-43 lead with 12:40 left in the game before Rhodes ran away to win it. The Lynx found success in the paint outscoring Oglethorpe 40-34. Then, they made the most of extra possessions with a 23-14 advantage in points off of turnovers, despite both teams each having 17.
Unfortunately, for their Sunday outing at Berry, the roles were reversed with the Lynx on the hunt working their way back most of the game after going down 13 with 16:41 left in the game as 3 of the Lynx 5 starters played over 33 minutes.
Essick, once again, led in scoring for the weekend with 21 points off of 9-16 shooting with 6 rebounds in 36 minutes of play. Arness Georgetown II shot 100% from the field (5-5 FGs) and was the only other player in double digits with 10 points in 21 minutes of play. Other leaders on the floor were Koki Wiley with 9 rebounds and Jefferson Walker with 3 steals. Rhodes, now 12-6 and 5-4 in the conference, fell 55-54 to Berry, who improved to 18-2 on the season and remained undefeated (9-0) in the conference.
The Lynx will look ahead to this upcoming weekend where they will take on Centre College this Friday and Sewanee on Sunday. Before Friday's men's game against Centre, we will have Senior Night. Then, at halftime, to celebrate Women in Sports Week, we will recognize the women of Rhodes Athletics.