Second half comeback not enough, Skyhawks fall in exhibition to Montevallo
MONTEVALLO, Al. (Dec. 11, 2022) - The Point University men's basketball team returned to action Sunday evening for exhibition game against NCAA Division II, University of Montevallo and came fell 76-70.
In the first half, the Skyhawks battled with the Falcons coming out on a 5-0 run to start the contest. The early lead would slip quickly when the Falcons would go on a 10-0 run to take the lead over at 10-5 at the 13:40 mark of the first half. The Falcons would keep trying to pull the game away, getting to as much as an eleven-point lead in the first half. However, at the 3:41 mark, Javier Turner would dunk to make it 28-20, with an assist from Jack Gray. In the final seconds of the first half, the Falcons would make a jump shot by Aidan Gardiner to send them to the locker room up 13 with a score of 34-21 at halftime.
The Skyhawks would cut the lead of the Falcons to ten to start the second half when Justice Hayes would nail a three-pointer to make it 34-24. The offense would explode on a 7-0 run to get the Skyhawks back within three points at 40-37 from a RJ Selman three-pointer at the 13:45 mark in the second half. Another run by the Skyhawks would see them get within one point after a defensive rebound from Jake Smith and a jump shot delivered by RJ Selman finishing the 7-0 run to make it a 50-49 score with 9:09 left to play in the contest. After the Falcons would take a five-point lead, Gentrell Taylor would get a defensive rebound and Jake Smith would lay it up to cut the lead to three points at 55-52, but Smith was also fouled on the play and would shoot one shot after the full timeout taken by Point. Following the timeout, Smith would connect on the old fashion three-point play, as he nailed his free throw to make it 55-53. Kenton Steele would tie the ballgame up at 55-55 with his layup. A three-pointer by Sam Rees at the 4:23 mark would see the Skyhawks tie the game up again, with the score now 60-60. After the Falcons made it a three-point game at 67-64, Jake Smith would connect on his jump shot to make it 67-66 at 2:06 left in the game. RJ Selman would get fouled and give the Skyhawks their first lead of the second half after making both from the charity stripe to make it 68-67. The Skyhawks wouldn't be able to hold on to that lead down the stretch as the Falcons would go 5 for 6 from the charity stripe and hold on to win the exhibition 76-70.
In the box
RJ Selman led all Skyhawks in scoring with his 17 points, while also adding four rebounds, two assists and a steal. Jake Smith finished the game with a double-double with his 16 points and 20 rebounds.
The Skyhawks shot 43.6% (24-55) from the floor, 33.3% (16-23) from three-point land and 69.6% (16-23) at the charity stripe.
Up next
The Skyhawks will return to action for a home matchup AAC conference foe, Columbia International University on Tuesday, Dec 13, starting at 7:30 P.M. This will be the last home contest for men's basketball in 2022. Also, remember that Santa Charger is coming to town from 6:30-8:30 P.M. to take pictures with fans on Tuesday, Dec 13 at the West Point Recreation Gymnasium.