The Oglethorpe University men's basketball team defeated Rhodes College on Pinholster Court on Sunday afternoon, 61-55. Down by 11 with 14 minutes to play the Petrels used a late game surge sparked by their defense to claim the teams' sixth consecutive victory.

Oglethorpe struggled in the first half of the contest and was only able to post 24 points and connect on two field goals that were not three-pointers. In that first half, Oglethorpe was only 7 of 24 from the field for 29%. Fortunately, the Petrel defense was able to hold Rhodes to only 29 points in the first stanza and keep the game close.

After falling behind by 11 points at the 14 minute mark of the second half, Oglethorpe turned up the defensive pressure, got several key steals and used a 23-11 run over the next 10 minutes to claim a 51-50 lead with only four minutes remaining on the strength of a deep Alex Richey three-pointer. It was the Petrels first lead since the 18:28 mark of the first half.

Bolstering the Oglethorpe comeback was the Petrels ability to force 18 Lynx turnovers that the Petrels converted into a 17-6 game advantage on points off turnovers. Despite being outscored 32-12 in the paint and 12-6 on fast break chances, Oglethorpe buried 14 of 18 (79%) free throw attempts to aid the comeback cause.

Junior Alex Richey led the charge for Oglethorpe on the afternoon with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Joe Kennedy found his shot for 14 points on the day and senior David Allison contributed 10 points and 3 assists in the clutch conference win.

With the win Oglethorpe is now 8-3 on the season and will get set to travel to face Centre College this Friday at 8:00 p.m. in Danville, Kentucky