Blackburn Snaps Three Game Losing Streak with 87-78 Win over Rhodes

Blackburn Snaps Three Game Losing Streak with 87-78 Win over Rhodes

A 26-point performance by senior guard Karson Hayes (Little Rock, Arkansas / John L McClellan) fueled Blackburn to a tough, 87-78 win over Rhodes College on the road in the Rhodes College Tournament.
 
Hayes finished shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc to go along with 3 rebounds.
 
Raushaun Amos (St. Louis, Missouri / Soldan) chipped in a notable double-digit scoring performance matching his season high with 22 points to go along with three assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Bryson Kirby (Lincoln, Illinois / Lincoln) dropped six points behind 2-of-5 shooting from long-range, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
 
It was a close game throughout the first half with Rhodes leading most of the quarter by a small margin. Their biggest lead of the quarter (7-points) came at the 2:59 mark on a jump shot by Mac James. The Lynx (now 2-7) were able to capitalize from the field, knocking down 17 of their 32 attempts. Rhodes also shot a decent 5 of 13 from beyond the arc. Blackburn, however, came back to tie 39-39 to go into halftime.
 
The second half was Blackburn’s time to shine. The Beavers (now 4-5) scored 48 points, shooting an impressive 16 of 26 from the field and 6 of 9 from deep. BC also outrebounded the Lynx 17-13 though; Rhodes had five offensive boards to the Beavers two.

Rhodes refused to go quietly as Blackburn’s lead in the second half wouldn’t reach more than five points until the 4:10 mark.
 
Ultimately, it was the clock that would be the Lynx’s biggest hurdle as they would end up fouling with 1:06 to go in the game. Blackburn would go on to make 5 of 6 free throws to ice the game and win 87-78.
 
UP NEXT: The Beavers return to action on Tuesday afternoon, playing their last game in the Rhodes College Tournament, facing 8-1 Centre College at 1 p.m.