MEMPHIS - The Rhodes College men's basketball team set a new school mark for points scored as they shot 71% from the field in the second half including 12 3-pointers to defeat the Birmingham-Southern Panthers 142-100 on Friday evening at Mallory Gymnasium.

It was quite the game for senior Tyler Gee, who finished with 21 points and a new school record 12 steals. His 12 steals ranks sixth all-time for a game in NCAA Division III history and 10th all-time among all divisions. He eyed a triple-double as he also added seven rebounds.

The Lynx were excellent, shooting 45 of 76 from the field (50%) and 20 of 41 from behind the arch (49%). Rhodes saw a big turnaround in free throws as they went 32 of 40 from the line. The Lynx held BSC to 36% shooting in the second half and 1 of 9 from deep for the game. 

Rhodes forced 32 Panther turnovers and out scored the Panther bench 91-29 despite being out rebounded 45-33.

BSC had the early advantage, holding a modest five point lead through the first three minutes, but Rhodes began to heat up, tying the game at 12. The Lynx began to knock down the deep ball and freshmen Owen Galvin and Jake Nestlehutt opened the lead out to 21-16 in part of a mini 8-2 run to go ahead 26-18.

The Panthers crawled back into it, tying the game at 28 as both teams battled back and forth to a 36 all tie. From there, Rhodes began to slowly chip away and build a lead towards the end of the half behind 10 points from senior Brennan Sullivan and eight points from sophomore Daniel Darst. Rhodes held a 65-56 lead at the break.

In the second half, Rhodes built the lead out to as many as 14 throughout most of the second half. BSC would try to cut the deficit down to around 10, but the Lynx found a way to build the lead back to the 12-14 range.

Just over the midway points of the second half with Rhodes leading 103-91, the Lynx caught fire thanks to 3-pointers from Nyawata and five points from freshman Mitch Weatherford to go ahead 114-93. Another three from Nestlehutt took the lead out to 24 at 119-95.

With 5:29 to play and Rhodes leading 121-98, the Lynx went on a 16-0 run, connecting on four 3-pointers in the process to take their lead out to 39 as they were in complete control of the defending SAA Champions as they cruised to the 42 point victory, one of the largest margins of victory in school and SAA play.

Gee was 5 of 7 from the field and an impressive 11 of 12 at the charity stripe. Nestlehutt added 18 points including six 3-pointers while Darst added 14 points and five assists. Sullivan picked up 12 points and junior Anesu Nyawata had 11 points and six assists.

Galvin, Weatherford, and Berry all had 11 points as eight players were in double figures. Junior Price Dalton picked up three steals on the night while Darst and junior Ian Harrison each had five boards.

BSC was led by Matty Rudak with 28 points and eight rebounds while James McLean had 14 points.

Rhodes moves to 5-7 overall and 2-0 in SAA play, snapping a five game losing streak. For the Panthers, the loss snaps a 15 game conference winning streak (18 if tournament included). 

The Lynx are back in action on Sunday as they welcome in Millsaps for a SAA tilt scheduled for 3 PM.