Martin, Tennessee ~ Rhodes College opened up their basketball season tonight dropping an exhibition game to NCAA Division 1 foe, University of Tennessee @ Martin by a score of 63-92.      
    Rhodes scored the first basket of the game off a three pointer by senior Reid Hamilton (Birmingham, AL), and another three by senior Andyshea Saberioon (Houston, TX) gave the Lynx an early four point lead.  UT-Martin used defensive pressure forcing the Lynx to turn the ball over, and sparking a 7-2 Skyhawks' run.  The run led to an 11-8 lead at the first media timeout.  UT-Martin built a small lead, but freshman Andrew Galow (Oswego, IL) nailed two free throws to bring the Lynx to within two points with just over 13 minutes left in the first half.  UT-Martin applied some defensive pressure and offensive rebounding to build an eight point lead, but the Lynx fought back with an 8-0 run, keyed by Galow's five points and senior Andrew Sillyman's (Cordova, TN) three pointer with eight minutes, knotting the score at 21.  After the Skyhawks built a seven point lead the Lynx charged back again pulling to within two points after a Kory Kilpatrick (Athens, GA) and two free throws by Galow.  But UT-Martin, fresh off of last year's OVC title used a 20-6 run over the final six minutes of the first half to open a large 48-32 halftime lead.

    In the second half, UT-Martin maintained its defensive pressure and the Lynx could never mount a comeback.  A layup by Saberioon cut the deficit to 19 with six minutes to play but the Skyhawks used a 10 point burst to douse any hope of a comeback.

    Rhodes placed three scores in double digits led by Galow's 18 points.  Kilpatrick and Larry Cunningham (St. Charles, MO) each chipped in 10 points for the Lynx.  Hamilton led all rebounders with a game high 11 boards.  Rhodes shot a very respectable 42.1% from beyond the arc and did not miss a free throw in 17 attempts on the night.

    Rhodes will officially open up the season next Monday when they travel to Elsah, Illinois to play Principia College.  Rhodes and Principia met twice last season with Rhodes winning both games.