Men’s Basketball taken down by Lagrange in the Battle of Highway 29

LAGRANGE, Ga. (Dec. 6, 2023) - The Point University Men's Basketball team returned to the court for a Wednesday night nonconference game in the Battle of Highway 29 against NCAA Division III, Lagrange College where the Panthers took the win over Point with a final score of 76-65. 

Theron Montgomery got the first half going with a layup in the paint which was followed by a three-pointer from Jacob Crockett to lead 5-0. The Panthers returned the favor by scoring their first seven points to lead by two. Theron Montgomery cleared the way in the paint as he scored on the powerful dunk to tie the game at seven. The Panthers went on a 12-3 run to push their lead to 16-10 but a layup from Robert Kendrick brought Lagrange's lead to four. Kendrick followed with another layup and Theron Montgomery converted on two free throws to tie the game at 16. Point regained the lead as Myles McClain added two free throws and both teams traded baskets with Joshua Scott scoring in the paint. The Panthers responded with a 14-2 run to bring their lead to double digits but a layup from Joshua Scott cut the Panthers' lead to nine. Lagrange connected on a jump shot and a layup to go into the half leading 37-26. 

The Panthers opened the second half on a 12-0 run to hold their biggest lead at the time with a score of 49-28 before Jeremiah Smith halted the run with a layup and three-pointer. The bench play of Point continued to contribute as Jeremiah Smith and Ricardo Luis Ortiz scored on the following two layups. The following three possessions ended with a basket by Jeremiah Smith as he continued to bring a spark off the bench. As Lagrange held a 70-50 lead, the Skyhawks continued to keep their offense alive as Sam Rees and Jacob Crockett converted on the following two scores. A three-pointer from Jacob Crockett and a layup from Jeremiah Smith helped Point cut into the Panthers' lead by 14. A layup and two free throws from Ricardo Luis Ortiz brought the game within 10 Points with 1:12 left in the contest but the Panthers were able to hold off the late comeback from Point to win 76-65. 

In the Box 

Jeremiah Smith led with 15 Points, five rebounds, and one blocked shot. Jacob Crockett followed with nine points, six rebounds, and three blocked shots. Ricardo Luis Ortiz added a solid debut with seven points and one assist.  

Up Next 

Point will return to the court to continue their road trip in Georgia as the Skyhawks travel to Thomasville for a road Southern States Athletic Conference at Thomas University starting at 2:00 P.M.