Team effort leads Skyhawks to victory in season opener

WEST POINT, Ga. (Oct. 23, 2021) – Corey Bowen and Jake Smith recorded double figures in the scoring column to lead the Point University men's basketball team to a 76-72 season-opening victory over The University of Mobile Saturday afternoon inside West Point Park Gymnasium.

Second half spark

Ray Reeves and Gentrell Taylor got the Skyhawks' offense going, scoring back-to-back triples to get Point their first points of the game. The Skyhawks extended their lead out 10-2 with baskets from Bowen and Reeves and continued to hold a steady lead until the Rams went on a 9-1 run to go ahead 16-15. Both teams were back-and-forth for nearly the remainder of the first half until a 3-pointer from Carlos Dixon helped Point take a two-possession lead with under two minutes remaining. Point entered the break leading 43-37.

In the second half, Point made quick work, extending its lead out by 10 from a layup by RJ Selman. Point led by 10 points or more until Mobile's Trent Moye connected for a 3-pointer with 13:11 remaining, making the score 53-46, but the Skyhawks would limit the Rams to four points and go on to score 15, to make the score 68-50 over the next five minutes of action.  

The Rams would attempt a late-game comeback with a 3-pointer from Joshua Williams, bringing the Rams within six (72-66) with under a minute remaining, but the Skyhawks would hold their lead and earn their first victory of the season.

In the box

Bowen led Point from under the basket with 15 points from the paint and seven rebounds. He was 7-for-9 from the field. Smith followed, going 6-for-8 from the field and recording 13 points, four rebounds, four steals and six assists.

Dixon followed in the scoring column with nine points, RJ Selman recorded eight points and three assists, Reeves and Lorenzo Freeman Jr. had seven points apiece and Taylor recorded six points, six rebounds, three steals and three assists.   

Up next

The Skyhawks hit the road to Florida for two nonconference matchups. First, Point will play Webber International on Thursday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m., before facing Johnson University of Florida at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30.