Pure Dominance displayed as the Skyhawks take the win over KCU
WEST POINT, Ga. (Nov. 17, 2022) - The Point University men's basketball team returned to action on Thursday at the West Point Park Gymnasium in an AAC matchup against Kentucky Christian University and would reign victorious with a final score of 88-64.
Justice Hayes started the game with a made layup for Point, but KCU notched a quick start with two free throws, a made layup, and a three-pointer to lead 7-4. Benjamin Ross responded on the next possession with a scored layup which was then followed by Theron Montgomery making his two free throws to put the Skyhawks back in the lead. As the half continued, both teams traded baskets and trade leads. The turning point came from a scored basket from Kenton Steele, which helped start the momentum on the next possession after a made three from Sam Rees. Kenton Steele was the energy boost off the bench as Jake Smith connected with Steele for another layup to lead 26-21. Jack Gray returned to the game after an early bump and made his presence known with a scored basket. On the next defensive possession, RJ Selman crept into the passing lane to collect a steal to set up a layup from Jake Smith. The Knights halted the run from Point as Deondre Ross scored the next four baskets for the Knights to tie the game at 30. Isaiah Francis put KCU ahead with two free throws made, but Benjamin Ross returned the favor with an and-one to score the basket along with making the free throw. With under a minute left in the half, Javier Turner turned up the heat with a block on the defensive end and was fouled on offense, which resulted in two made free throws to extend Point's lead to three going into the half.
The second half started with a made layup from Jack Gray, and KCU countered with a basket from behind the arc to trail by two. The Skyhawks responded by going on a 10-2 run as the Skyhawks dominated the paint and pushed the tempo. After a quick timeout from Coach Deer, Theron Montgomery woke up the gym even louder with a slam dunk. The run continued for the Skyhawks RJ Selman sprinted past the Knights for a strong take in the paint to push their lead to 54-42. As the stops on defense started to add up, Point's offense thrived off the intensity by continuing to attack the paint with fastbreaks and layups. KCU started to find life as Ross made a layup, followed by a three from David Woodard. The next two possessions for Point created more excitement as Javier Turner scored his next two baskets off slam dunks to extend the lead to 66-49. The Knights looked to create a run by scoring their next three baskets to cut their deficit to 12. Point did not let that affect their play and would continue to score off layups. As the half entered its final minute, the Skyhawks were ahead 17 until Erys Muhametaj put the nail in the coffin with a three-pointer to end the game with a final score of 88-64.
In the box
Point shot 55.9 percent from the field overall and had four players in double figures. Benjamin Ross led with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Theron Montgomery added 12 points and three rebounds. Javier Turner notched 11 points and six rebounds. Jake Smith tallied his second triple-double on the season with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists.
Up next
Point will return to action in a road AAC matchup on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Union College starting at 4:00 P.M.
