Point falls after early lead to Bryan

DAYTON, Tenn. (Feb. 8, 2022) – The Point University men's basketball team led by nearly 20 points at halftime, but Bryan College took advantage of cold shooting from the Skyhawks in the second half and went on to win 63-62 Tuesday evening.

Only two Skyhawks found themselves in double-digit scoring, with Jake Smith leading the way with a double-double, posting 20 points and 11 boards and added on five assists. Corey Bowen followed with 11 points off the bench and Javier Turner posted 11 rebounds to help the Skyhawks under the basket.

Point made their way out to a 21-4 lead to open Tuesday's contest. Smith connected for a 3-pointer with under 10 minutes left in the half to help the Skyhawks lead by 17. Bryan cut Point's lead down to 10 following a layup from Michael Cody, but back-to-back layups from Smith and Turner, followed by a 3-pointer from Smith, extended Point's lead back out (33-16). With nine seconds remaining in the half, Lorenzo Freeman Jr. connected for a layup to put the Skyhawks ahead 35-16 at the break.

For 19:33, Point held the lead in the second half until a layup from Bryan's Gene Holmes closed off a 17-6 run by the Lions and earned them a 60-59 lead. A free throw from Smith would even the score at 60 before Bryan would connect for a triple with 26 seconds remaining to go ahead 63-60. A layup from RJ Selman with 10 seconds left would bring the score back within one, but the Skyhawks comeback efforts came up short.

With the loss, Point falls to 12-14 (8-12 AAC) and the Lions advance to 15-9 (12-8 AAC).

Point will be back in action on Thursday, Feb. 10, as they host Truett McConnell at 7:30 p.m. inside West Point Park Gymnasium.