Eagles Handed First Loss in AAC Opener

Waleska, GA - In a challenging AAC basketball clash at the Brown Athletic Center, the Eagles were handed a tough defeat by the Brenau Golden Tigers, with a final score of 74 to 63. Despite a strong fight and a close trail at halftime, 36 - 41 Brenau, the Eagles couldn't bridge the gap in the decisive moments of the game.

Reinhardt saw commendable performances from several players. Na'Yel Camper led the scoring with 15 points, closely followed by Julia Craft and Noelle Lavery, who both added 13 points each. Notably, Lana Van Dyke and Haley Johnson were pivotal on the defensive end, contributing significantly with rebounds and blocks. Early foul trouble kept Van Dyke's minutes sparingly in the first half, but her presence was felt in the second half. Despite the loss, these players showcased their resilience and skills against a tough Brenau lineup. Lavery was slightly down in her scoring average but still helped the Eagles stay within striking distance at the end. Johnson led the Eagles with 7 rebounds and Van Dyke ended with 6 despite the limited first-half minutes.

The game remained competitive, with Reinhardt closely trailing for most of the contest. However, they struggled to keep up with Brenau's pace in the final quarter, thus widening the point gap. Brenau's top scorer, Kristina Peach, dropped 21 points, proving instrumental in their victory. Her key three-pointers helped Brenau's final push once the Eagles got the lead down to just three in the fourth quarter.

Reinhardt had a couple of key players out nursing injuries in this game but should be back for the early AAC schedule games coming up.  Overall, it was a tough night shooting the ball for the Eagles, and the defense let up at times, allowing the Golden Eagles to build their lead.

Looking ahead, the Eagles are set to face St. Andrews this Saturday, seeking to bounce back from this first conference game. This upcoming game presents an opportunity for Reinhardt to turn around their fortunes and continue their campaign with boosted confidence and strategy.  The game is set for a noon tip-off at the Brown and will be followed by the men's game at 2 pm.