The Hendrix College Warriors men’s basketball team opened their season with a thrilling victory over the University of the Ozarks Eagles on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. The game was played at Grove Gymnasium in Conway, Arkansas, and was broadcasted on the Warrior Sports Network.
Warriors Return with Experience and Depth
The Warriors entered the season with high expectations, as they returned all of their starters and most of their bench from last year’s squad. They also added five new players, including transfer guard Max Chenault, who played at Southeastern Oklahoma State. The Warriors were led by senior Tyler Deithloff, who earned second team All-SAA honors last year, averaging 13 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Other key returners included sophomore Colten Berry, who led the team in rebounds and blocks, sophomore Caleb Squires, who shot 92.2% from the free throw line, and junior Daniel Cobb, who was a sharpshooter from behind the arc.
Eagles Put Up a Fight in a Close Game
The Eagles were not intimidated by the Warriors, and gave them a tough challenge throughout the game. The Eagles had two players who scored more than 20 points each: senior guard Tim David, who had 24 points and six assists, and sophomore forward Cameron Green, who had 21 points and eight rebounds. The Eagles also had a slight edge in rebounding, grabbing 38 boards to the Warriors’ 36. The game was close and competitive, with nine lead changes and four ties. The largest lead for either team was nine points, which the Warriors had in the first half.
Cobb Hits the Clutch Shot to Seal the Win
The game came down to the wire, as the Eagles trailed by only two points with less than a minute left. The Eagles had a chance to tie or take the lead, but David missed a three-pointer and the Warriors secured the rebound. The Warriors then called a timeout to set up their final play. The ball went to Cobb, who dribbled to the right wing and launched a three-pointer over the outstretched arm of an Eagle defender. The shot swished through the net, giving the Warriors a five-point lead with 12 seconds left. The Eagles could not score again, and the Warriors celebrated their 83-78 win.
Warriors Look Ahead to the Next Game
The Warriors improved their record to 1-0, while the Eagles fell to 0-1. The Warriors will face another tough opponent in their next game, as they will travel to Memphis, Tennessee, to take on the Rhodes College Lynx on Saturday, November 11, 2023. The Lynx are the defending SAA champions, and have won the last four meetings against the Warriors. The Warriors will try to end that streak and start their conference play with a win.
