Women’s Basketball fall to the Koalas in a road AAC matchup
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Nov. 19, 2022) - The Point University women's basketball team traveled to Columbia College on Saturday, Nov. 19 for an Appalachian Athletic Conference matchup against the Koalas and fell 54-38.
The Koalas jumped on the scoreboard with a quick layup to take their first lead. Point looked to try to respond but would not be able to convert until the 6:51 mark as Dominque Cooke connected with Ky'Leo Worriels on the assist for the first layup. Worriels followed up with another made basket in the post to put Point ahead by two. As the quarter continued, Columbia jumped back into the lead with a layup from Carnasia Wells. Both teams would be unable to put any more points on the board as the Koalas held the lead with a score of 5-4 at the end of the first period. Columbia took the second quarter by storm by forcing turnovers from Point and drawing fouls to convert on their free throws. Ananda Hughley slowed the momentum down after a made three-pointer as they now trailed 8-7. Columbia's will to crash the boards helped push their lead back to three points until Hughley scored the next basket for the Skyhawks to bring their deficit to one. The Koalas chipped in six more points and held Point to single digits as both teams went into the half with a score of 16-9.
As the game entered the second half of play, Mataea Boyd collected a steal that resulted in an and-one from Mirial Cannon. Cannon converted on her free throw to bring their deficit to four, but Columbia countered on their next possession with a made jump shot. The Koalas continued to find ways to attack the paint and draw fouls which resulted in their next four points coming off of free throws. In result of that, Columbia College took their biggest lead of the game with 10. Chinedu Nnadi returned the favor by scoring on a layup, but the Koalas started to pick up steam as Columbia converted on their offensive possessions. Point continued to fight through the adversity as Mataea Boyd crept into the passing lane for a steal to score on the layup, which brought the score to 31-16. As the quarter neared a close, Columbia College ended with a 15-6 run to now lead 45-24.
Point scored the first two buckets for the Skyhawks in the fourth quarter off of two offensive rebounds. The Koalas continued to force turnovers as they picked up another steal to convert on the layup. Ananda Hughley caught the Columbia sleeping on offense as she picked up the steal, which resulted in an outlet pass assisted to Mataea Boyd. Carnashia Wells put the Koalas back ahead by 21 after a made three-pointer to bring the score to 52-31. Point would finish with eight more points, and the Koalas held on to win 54-38.
In the box
Mataea Boyd led the Skyhawks with 11 points, five rebounds and three steals. Ananda Hughley followed with eight points, five rebounds and three steals. Sheyvonne Owens led Point in the rebounding column with 13, with eight coming off the offensive end.
Up next
The Skyhawks will return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 22, for an AAC matchup against Reinhardt University at the West Point Park Gymnasium starting at 5:30 P.M.