Eagles' Last-Second Shot Wouldn't Go in Tight AAC Matchup

Waleska, GA - Reinhardt Men's Basketball played its best game of the season in a tight competition with AAC rival, Tennessee Wesleyan.  The Eagles were able to get the last shot from a three-pointer from Tee Williams, but it went off the back iron, giving the Bulldogs the narrow 79-77 win.  This was the first conference game of the season, and the Eagles showed that they will be a highly competitive team throughout AAC play.

The game opened with both teams answering each other on both ends, giving an idea of how the game was going to progress. Point guard AJ Shaw, who has put together a couple of great games for the Eagles, led the team in the first half by scoring 12 points. Throughout the first period, the game was marked by multiple lead changes, with the Bulldogs managing to secure a seven-point lead at the midway point. The period concluded with Tennessee Wesleyan leading 47-42, highlighted by a notable duo of free throws from Reshaun Hampton. However, this left the Eagles well within striking distance, and the second half would unfold in this manner.

In the second period, the Eagles showed resilience and tenacity. Tee Williams, Reinhardt's top rebound leader with 12 rebounds, started strong with a key jumper that cut into the Bulldogs' lead. This was Williams' first game back after sitting out the past four games nursing a hamstring injury.  The Eagles managed to tie the game several times, keeping the scores tight. However, key moments included a dunk from JJ Rueckert and a decisive layup from Armando Cuardado, giving the Bulldogs the slight advantage in the final minutes.

In the final thirty seconds left in the game, Reinhardt had the ball in the hands of Shaw with a chance to tie the game.  Shaw had a good drive to the basket, but after a tap on the ball from a Bulldog defender, the ball made its way in the basket and the fans erupted. However, a controversial whistle from the referees called a travel on Shaw, giving the ball back to the Bulldogs with a two-point lead.  The Eagles were forced to foul, which sent Tennessee Wesleyan to the line for a one-and-one.  The Bulldogs missed the front end, and the ball ended up in the hands of Williams as the time ticked off the clock.  Williams pulled up for a three-pointer with two Bulldogs on him.  It was a decent look at the basketball that went slightly long, letting the Bulldogs leave Waleska with the AAC road win.

AJ Shaw led the Eagles with 23 points and contributed two assists and two steals, making him one of the team's top performers. Despite having a slow start to the season, Shaw has shown much promise over the past few games, showing that he can be a team leader at the point for the Eagles. Meanwhile, Nekhi Fisher had a tremendous game as well, adding a spark to the Eagles, which included a crucial layup in the second half.  Fisher ended the game with 14 points and many key plays, which kept the Eagles close the entire second half.

Williams ended the game with a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds in his comeback game.  His presence was realized early when he came off the bench in the first half and added firepower to the Eagles' offense.

Junior guard Jackson Sousa was just shy of double figures with 9 points and pulled down 3 rebounds.  Forward Derrick Brown also had a good showing in the game with many key plays for the Eagles.  He scored 6 points and had 8 rebounds, finishing just behind Williams in the rebound department.

Looking ahead, the Eagles are set to face Milligan University this Saturday at home in another AAC matchup. Reinhardt is still searching for its first win of the 2025-26 season, but those will come quickly and often with the efforts they showed against Tennessee Wesleyan.

photos courtesy of Tyler Waddell with Replay Photography, @replay_imagery