MEMPHIS, TN – In a nail-biting SAA matchup, the Rhodes College Lynx left it all on the court in front of an electric crowd at Mallory Gymnasium but fell just short one point to the Sewanee Tigers. The Lynx put on a defensive front, dominating the boards and displaying relentless hustle, but ultimately, the Tigers stretched out the victory by a single point in a game that saw 11 ties and 14 lead changes.

Key Performances:

• Phil Dotson: 27 points, 6-7 FT, 3 steals, 4 rebounds
• Shawn Jones Jr.: 24 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists
• Jack Dempsey: 18 rebounds, 5 points, 1 assist
• Trevor Lombard: 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
• Jackson Huxtable: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 2-5 from three

From the opening tip off, Rhodes came out with intensity, using their defensive energy to disrupt Sewanee's rhythm. The Lynx took a 46-43 lead into halftime, shooting 52.9% from the field while knocking down six three-pointers. Despite Sewanee's second-half push, Rhodes continued to crash the boards, out-rebounding the Tigers 49-37, with Jack Dempsey pulling down 18 rebounds. Shawn Jones Jr. proved dominant in the paint with 24 points and 11 boards, while Phil Dotson delivered baskets to keep the Lynx within reach. As the game entered overtime tied at 77, both teams traded blows in the final minutes. A clutch three-pointer from Trevor Lombard put the Lynx ahead, but Sewanee responded with a deep three of their own. Despite the loss, Rhodes proved their defensive grit, battling for every possession with relentless rebounding and hustle. The Lynx will look to build on this performance as they finish their in-conference play against Centre College.

Team Statistics:

• Field Goals: Rhodes 40.8% (31-76)
• Three-Point Shooting: Rhodes 32.1% (9-28)
• Free Throws: Rhodes 70.6% (12-17)
• Rebounds: Rhodes 49
• Second Chance Points: Rhodes 13
• Points in the Paint: Rhodes 32
• Bench Points: Rhodes 77

Looking Forward To:
Rhodes will now shift their focus to their last conference matchup as they take on Centre College on Sunday, February 16th, at Mallory Gymnasium at 3:00 PM in Memphis, TN.

Historical Matchup Overview:
Rhodes College and Centre College have a long-standing conference rivalry, with Centre historically holding the upper hand in their matchups. The Lynx, however, have been gaining momentum, winning the last two meetings, including a hard-fought 72-68 victory earlier this season. Their largest margin of victory came on December 8, 2024, with an emphatic 85-59 win, while their closest contest was a thrilling 66-65 win in 2023. With the Lynx riding a two-game win streak against Centre, they look to extend their success in this conference rematch.