Men’s Basketball soars past Bluefield in their AAC Opener

WEST POINT, Ga. (Nov. 5, 2022) - The Point University men's basketball team returned to action Saturday evening for their Appalachian Athletic Conference opener against Bluefield College and pulled out the win with a score of 69-52. 

The Skyhawks started the game with the first two scores as Jack Gray knocked down a three-pointer which was followed by a layup from Jake Smith. Their lead would continue to stretch as three layups in a row added a 12-2 lead. Bluefield came out of their timeout to add five points to their score. The Rams continued their attack to the rim, which earned them two made free throws to now trail 12-9. Jack Gray continued his hot start by making his next two shots, but Bluefield countered with a turnover to set up the made three-pointer from Elijah White. Christian Bullock's layup and Jamal Hinkle's dunk tied the game at 16, which forced Point to call a timeout with 5:12 left in the first half. Out of the timeout, Gray wiped away the tie with a made three, along with his next shot being at the mid-range to now lead 21-18. The fouls started to pick up from Bluefield, which allowed the Skyhawks to make their next four free throws. With two minutes left, the Rams made another jump shot to now trail 25-23. Sam Rees followed with a three-pointer to put them ahead by four. The Skyhawks only allowed one more point from Bluefield to finish the half while scoring their next two layups to go into the break leading 32-24. 

The Skyhawks started the half with two made threes from RJ Selman and Theaplais Williams, leading 38-26. Jack Gray and Jake Smith continued their hot first half by adding the next two scores as Point converted from turnovers. Bluefield did go away as the Rams made their next two threes in hopes of going a run of freezing the Skyhawks. Jake Smith continued to get his teammates involved as he connected on an assist to Sam Rees to push their lead further. Point's defense and ball movement continued to elevate the team's play as the Skyhawks forced another turnover which resulted in a made layup from Theron Montgomery. A steal from Jake Smith resulted in another three-pointer from Jack Gray. RJ Selman helped Point move to a 20-point lead as he added another three-pointer. Theron Montgomery helped wake up the gym and extend the Skyhawks' lead with two made dunks, now being ahead 64-46. The Skyhawks only allowed four more scores on to finish the game with a final score of 69-52 for their first win of the season and in conference play.  

In the box 

Jack Gray led the Skyhawks with 17 points while adding three assists. Jake Smith proved to the floor general with a triple-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Theron Montgomery and Sam Rees added eight points off the bench. 

Up next 

The Skyhawks will return to action for a road AAC matchup against Truett McConnell on Tuesday, Nov. 8, starting at 7:30 P.M.