Second Half Adjustments surges the Skyhawks past UT Southern

WEST POINT, Ga. (Jan. 6, 2024) - The Point University Women's Basketball team returned to the court for a Saturday afternoon Southern States Athletic Conference matchup against the University of Tennessee Southern where the Skyhawks took the win over the Firehawks with a final score of 61-51. 

The Skyhawks got the first period going with two free throws from Ky'Leo Worriels to tie the game from a basket against UT Southern. Mataea Boyd would grab her rebound off the miss which resulted in a three-point bomb. With the Firehawks still in the lead, Ky'Leo Worriels added another score for the Skyhawks which helped bring the game within one point with a score of 9-8. The Firehawks continued to keep their hot start going as UT Southern finished the first quarter on a 10-0 run to lead 19-8 at the end of the first quarter. 

Point began to shake off the rust and add more points as Ky'Leo Worriels crashed the boards for an offensive rebound to bring their deficit to single digits. Shakira Wilson added a spark off the bench as she converted the and-one layup and followed with a free throw to bring the score to 21-13. As the Firehawks held their lead, Point continued to climb back into the game with a layup from Shanbriah Rule which was followed by two free throws from Antonia Pittman to bring the score to 26-17. Two layups from Mirial Cannon and Mataea Boyd pushed the game into single digits which opened the gate for Shanbriah Rule to convert her three-point bomb to have the Skyhawks trail by four. Point's will to convert from the charity stripe was a key role in the comeback as Mataea Boyd and Ananda Hughley made their free throws to cut their deficit to one. The Skyhawks went into the half tied at 31 as Mataea Boyd and Shanbriah Rule converted on the layups to end the first half.  

Point opened the quarter with a three-pointer from Antonia Pittman to give the Skyhawks their first lead of the game but the Firehawks responded with two baskets to regain the lead. Pittman tied the game at 37 as she added her second triple of the game. Both teams continued to trade baskets as leads changed hands four times in under two minutes. The Skyhawks ended the third quarter with a three-pointer from Mirial Cannon to bring the score to 46-44. The fourth quarter saw the Skyhawks press the gas more as Ananda Hughley started the period with two three-pointers to bring their lead to 52-44. Point's lead grew to 11 with a layup from Mirial Cannon and a triple from Shakira Wilson to continue second-half momentum. With the score at 59-46, Point's defense only allowed five more points from the Firehawks as the Skyhawks surged past UT Southern for the 61-51 win. 

In the Box 

Ky'Leo Worriels led with 14 Points, 11 rebounds, and one blocked shot. Antonia Pittman followed with 10 Points, six assists, and four rebounds. Ananda Hughley added eight points, eight rebounds, and two assists. 

Milestone Achievement

Following the win, Head Coach Tory Wooley earned his 200th career win as a head coach where he was honored with his 200th win Game Ball after the game. 

Up Next 

The Skyhawks will continue their homestand on Wednesday, January 10 as Point takes on (RV) Brewton-Parker College in the home SSAC Matchup starting at 5:30 P.M.