Skyhawks lose early lead, fall to CIU

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Jan. 18, 2022) – The Point University men's basketball team led by nine points at the end of the first half, but the Columbia International University Rams scored 50 points in the second half to defeat the Skyhawks 76-71 in an Appalachian Athletic Conference matchup Tuesday night inside Moore Fitness Center.

The Skyhawks were led by Corey Bowen and Jake Smith, who each recorded double-doubles. Bowen led with 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Smith followed with 16 points and 10 rebounds and led the team with three assists. Lorenzo Freeman Jr. was the next Skyhawk in the scoring column with 13 points, adding seven rebounds.

Tied at 13 with under 13 minutes remaining in the first half, RJ Selman connected for a triple, and the Skyhawks would hold the lead for the remainder of the half. With 1:42 remaining, a layup by Ray Reeves gave Point its largest lead of the half, 35-25.

The Skyhawks extended their lead out by 14 points following two free throws from Bowen (54-40) out of the break.  With 8:30 remaining in the game, Freeman would connect for a jump shot to put Point ahead 60-47, but over the next four minutes, the Rams would go on a 13-0 run to tie the game at 60. A dunk from Bowen would earn the lead back in Point's favor, but an old-fashioned 3-pointer from CIU's Christian Howard would earn CIU the lead for the first time in the second half. Smith would answer with a layup to help Point take the lead, 64-63, but CIU followed with a layup and a three-pointer, and the Rams would remain in the lead.

Tuesday's loss set the Skyhawks back 8-11 (4-9 AAC) and the Rams advanced to 11-6 (7-5 AAC).

Point will return to action on Thursday, Jan. 20, as they host Bluefield in an AAC matchup at 7:30 p.m.