Building off the momentum of their exciting, buzzer-beating win over the University of Dallas last weekend, the Rhodes Lynx had a 2-0 weekend in the Rhodes Thanksgiving Classic to give them a 3-1 start to the season, their best since 2017.
They began the weekend with a win, 70-55, against the Belhaven University Blazers on Friday night in their home opener at Mallory Gymansium. The Lynx put on a defensive showcase forcing 15 turnovers and holding the Blazers to 33% shooting from the field and 20% from three. Senior forward, Jalen Essick, led the way on both ends of the floor with 24 pts (9-14 FG, 1-2 3PT, 5-7 FT) and 11 rebounds (4 offensive/7 defensive) for the Lynx, his 1st double-double of the season. Senior guard, Koki Wiley, provided the Lynx with their 2nd double-double of the night, Wiley's 1st of the season, finishing with 15 pts (6-10 FG, 3-4 FT) and 13 rebounds (3 offensive/10 defensive). After a tight 1st half, the Lynx came out and shot 51% from the field in the 2nd half to give them their first home win of the year.
Sunday's matchup against the Spalding University Eagles was a close one until the final buzzer with the Lynx coming out on top 72-71 after a brilliant, high IQ play by Koki Wiley in the final moments of the game. With less than 5 seconds to go, the Lynx went to inbound the ball under the Eagles basket, but the ball got away and began to roll to the other end of the court. Since no one touched the ball, the clock had not started. The Eagles attempted to surround the ball as it rolled out so they would be rewarded with possession under their basket and a chance to win the game. Before the ball reached out of bounds, Wiley rushed to the ball, dove through the Eagles, and smacked it across the court, which started the clock, ended the game, and gave Rhodes their 2nd win of the weekend.
Essick followed up Friday's performance with another great one against Spalding. He finished with 24 pts (9-13 FG, 1-1 3PT) and 4 rebounds. Wiley finished with his 2nd double-double of the season (17 pts and 10 rebounds). Freshman guard, Phil Dotson, provided a much-needed spark off the bench with 14 pts.
The Lynx look to continue their hot start in their next matchup against D1 opponent UAB.
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