Team effort guides men’s basketball to victory

LAURINBURG, N.C. (Jan. 29, 2022) – Five members of the Point University men's basketball team made their way into double-digit scoring to help the Skyhawks to a 92-72 victory Saturday afternoon against St. Andrews.

Jake Smith led Point with 19 points, adding eight rebounds and six assists. RJ Selman followed with 14 points, Javier Turner recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, Corey Bowen had 12 points and Ray Reeves had 10, tacking on eight rebounds and four assists.

Point shot 53% from the field and outscored St. Andrews 60 to 26 from in the paint.

Both teams played it tight in the opening minutes of Saturday's Appalachian Athletic Conference matchup. The Knights worked their way out to a nine-point lead with less than 12 minutes remaining off a 3-pointer from Isaac Clay before Point answered back with a 22-3 run. With 2:46 remaining, Point led 37-27, but the Knights worked their way back within six points off a free throw from Clay with 1:29 remaining. Smith connected for a jump shot with eight seconds left in the half to put Point ahead 42-34 at the break.

Out of the break, Point quickly extended their lead out to double figures, with Bowen connecting for a dunk from Smith in the opening seconds of the half, followed by a layup from Smith. Bowen and Smith followed with back-to-back dunks to help Point take a 50-38 lead. The Skyhawks would continue to work their lead out, taking a 23-point lead with two minutes remaining, and the Knights could not catch up.

With Saturday's victory, Point advances to 11-12 (7-10 AAC) and the Knights fall to 2-18 (2-15 AAC).

Up next, Point hosts Union College on Monday, Jan. 31, at 5:30 p.m. inside West Point Park Gymnasium.