Strong second half lifts men’s basketball to victory over Reinhardt

WALESKA, Ga. (Jan. 26, 2022) – The Point University men's basketball team trailed Reinhardt University by 11 points at halftime but outscored the Eagles 44-19 in the second half to earn a 71-57 comeback victory Wednesday evening in Waleska.

Game flow

With 14 minutes left in the first half, Point trailed 13-12, but over the next 10 minutes, Reinhardt went on an 18-3 run to jump ahead 33-15. Brent Gaither ended Reinhardt's run with a 3-pointer followed by a dunk from Gentrell Taylor, a 3-pointer from Ray Reeves, and a layup from Corey Bowen to cut the Eagles' lead back down to eight (33-25). Reinhardt extended their lead back out to 13, but a jump shot from Reeves would bring it back to 11, entering the second half (38-27).

Out of the break, the Skyhawks opened the second half on an 8-0 run, cutting Reinhardt's lead down to three (38-35). Reeves sparked Point's run with a layup, followed by a layup from Jake Smith, a dunk from Taylor and a layup from Bowen. A layup from Reinhardt's Jalin Wimberly would push the Eagles' lead out to five, but Reeves would answer with a layup and Lorenzo Freeman Jr. would follow with a triple to tie the game at 40. Reinhardt retook a two-point lead, but Bowen evened it up at 42, before Freeman would connect for another 3-pointer, this time putting the Skyhawks in the lead 45-42, and Reinhardt was unable to regain the lead for the rest of the game.

With less than five minutes remaining in the game, an old-fashioned 3-pointer from Smith, followed by a jump shot from Freeman, would earn the Skyhawks a double-digit lead, 65-55. Freeman would close the game out, scoring a layup and connecting for two free throws and Bowen would earn Point its largest lead with a dunk to end the game.

In the box

Freeman scored 21 points (17 coming in the second half) and recorded a double-double with 12 boards. Bowen followed with 15 points and nine rebounds, going 7-for-11 from the field and Reeves rounded out the Skyhawks in double-digits with 11 points, adding on four assists. Smith and Taylor each recorded seven points apiece, Smith tacking on six assists and six rebounds and Taylor recording eight rebounds and two blocks.

In the second half, the Skyhawks shot 50% from the field and took advantage of cold shooting from Reinhardt, as the Eagles were 28% from the field and 1-for-17 from perimeter shooting.

Up next

With Wednesday's victory, Point advances to 10-12 (6-10 AAC) and Reinhardt falls to 13-9 (10-6 AAC).

The Skyhawks' next game will be on Saturday, Jan. 29, as they travel to St. Andrews for an AAC matchup at 4 p.m.