Eagles Fall to Union Bulldogs on the Road in Kentucky

Barbourville, Ky. - Despite a strong start, Reinhardt Men's Basketball lost its three-game win streak on the road at Union Commonwealth with a final score of 92-65.  The team made tremendous strides last week, winning three games in a row, but a tough Bulldogs team led by Drew Rhodes, who came off the bench to score 23 against the Eagles.

The game began with promise for the Eagles, who initially took an early lead thanks to a dynamic fast-break dunk by Derrick Brown. Brown is coming off one of his best weeks as a collegiate basketball player, where he was recognized as the National Defensive Player of the Week. He led the team in scoring with 13 points, and he pulled down 5 rebounds.

AJ Shaw enhanced the lead with a crucial 3-pointer. However, the Bulldogs quickly turned the game around with a significant scoring run, concluding the first period ahead with point spreads as much as 11 points. Despite a buzzer-beating layup by Tucker Lowe, the Eagles trailed 38-29 at halftime.

In the second half, the Eagles faced challenges in bridging the gap. Union Commonwealth's defense intensified, leading to multiple turnovers by Reinhardt. The Bulldogs capitalized on their defensive strengths, extending their lead to an astounding 36 points by the close of the second period. Ultimately, the Eagles could not regain their initial momentum, closing the game at a 27-point deficit. The Bulldogs were able to get five players in double-figure scoring.

Along with Brown's 13 points. AJ Shaw also stood out with 10 points and 9 rebounds, leading in both assists and rebounds for the Eagles. Despite their efforts, the Eagles did not have an answer for Rhodes, who shot 4 for 7 behind the three-point line.  Keith Hedgepeth was a thorn in the side for Reinhardt as he put in 16 points for the Bulldog and was a menace on the boards, pulling down 8 rebounds.

Also notable for the Eagles was Khalil Cooke, who was 100% from the field in the final minutes of the game.  In limited play, he was able to shoot 4 for 4 from the field and 2 for 2 from the three-point line, scoring 10 points for the Eagles.

The Eagles will need to put this game behind them quickly and start preparing for the CIU Rams, who are heading into Waleska on Saturday for another AAC matchup.  The Rams, who are traditionally a talented basketball team, will be another tough opponent for the Eagles. Tip-off is at 2 pm for the women's team, and the men will start shortly after, around 4:30 pm.