GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - Southwestern University Men's Basketball played another tough defensive game against the top-seeded Rhodes College Lynx on Sunday, ultimately faltering down the stretch in a loss, 72-68. The Pirates fall to 10-12 overall and 4-7 in conference play with only three games remaining. 

The Pirates came out of the gates firing at home, leading by 11 against the conference's top team at one point in the first half. However, Rhodes found rhythm offensively in the second half, leaving Texas with wins over the Pirates and Trinity University. 

Southwestern now sits tied with Centre College at sixth place. The top six teams make the SAA conference tournament as Millsaps College (7th) and Oglethorpe University (8th) are right behind the Pirates at 3-7. Next weekend, posses a big opportunity as the Pirates travel to 5-5 Berry College on Friday and 3-7 Oglethorpe on Sunday. 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Rhodes came into Sunday alone at the top of the SAA standings after taking down #24 nationally, Trinity. The Lynx needed a win against the Pirates to stay at the top and likely be ranked. 
• Southwestern looked to avenge their previous loss, playing significantly better defense recently. 
• The Pirates stayed with the same starting five of senior Shobby Enakpene, senior Luke Hatcher, junior Zach Gomez, junior Luke Mills, and sophomore Aedan Lewis. 
• Southwestern played an intense first half, as all five players scored buckets leading 10-2. 
• The defense created offense as Enakpene scored six straight points to build the 27-16 lead with five minutes remaining. 
• Rhodes ended the half on an 18-9 offensive tear, pulling within four at the break. 
• Hatcher brought the Pirates faithful to their feet with 16 minutes to go in the second half with a poster dunk, leading 42-38. 
• Both teams traded blows as Lewis made it 50-46 with back-to-back tough buckets at the rim. 
• However, the Lynx found ways to get downhill and convert acrobatic layups to take the 63-56 lead. 
• Freshman Sawyer Batz and Hatcher hit massive triples to pull within 68-64. 
• Rhodes created fouls down the stretch and converted at the line to escape with the win. 

GAME NOTES

• Southwestern showed themselves and the league tonight that they can play and beat anyone. 
• The end of the first half run by Rhodes proved to be the big difference. 
• Southwestern found a way to out rebound the Lynx 38-36 tonight, showing a massive difference from Friday night. 
• Lewis totaled his second double-double of the season at 16 points and ten boards. The sophomore totaled 21.5 PPG and 9 RPG on the weekend. 
• Hatcher had 15 points for his most since the opening game. Enakpene added 13 points, while Gomez finished with 11 as the Pirates were balanced. 
• Southwestern left key points on the board, going 50% from the line while the Lynx finished at 74%. 

UP NEXT
Southwestern takes on Georgia next weekend with big games against Berry and Oglethorpe on Friday and Sunday.