Skyhawks use strong second half to defeat Union

WEST POINT, Ga. (Jan. 22, 2022) – Marta Gimenez connected for three triples in the fourth quarter to help the Point University women's basketball team pull off a 69-65 comeback victory over visiting Union College Saturday afternoon in West Point.

Union held a demanding 14-point lead early in the second quarter, but a layup from Destinee Ellison would spark a 16-5 run for Point to close out the first half. Union led 32-29 at the break.

Point's run continued into the third quarter with a layup from Gimenez followed by a jump shot from Jasmine Griggs, earning Point the lead (33-32). Union scored the next seven points to regain a six-point lead, but Nicole Izuagie would tie the score at 39 with a layup followed by a 3-pointer. With 1:39 left in the quarter, Union's Madison Taylor would connect for a 3-pointer to put the Bulldogs ahead 44-41, but back-to-back layups from Iyanna McMillan and Gimenez would put Point ahead 45-44 entering the final frame.

With less than eight minutes remaining, Gimenez connected for back-to-back triples and Sheyvonne Owens followed with a layup to send the Skyhawks ahead by six (55-49). A 3-pointer from Union's Brooke Hammond would bring Point's lead within one with 4:44 remaining, but the Skyhawks answered with an 8-0 run to go ahead 65-56 and go on to victory.

Gimenez had a game-high, alongside Union's Hammond, of 23 points as she was 8-for-16 from the field and 3-for-6 from perimeter shooting. Izuagie followed with 16 points and McMillan rounded out the Skyhawks in double figures with 14 points. Under the basket, Owens led Point with eight rebounds, Gimenez followed with six, and McMillan, Griggs, and Ellison recorded four boards apiece. Griggs and Ellison led with four assists each, and Griggs recorded a game-high of five steals. Hammond led the Bulldogs with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

With Saturday's victory, the Skyhawks advance to 14-3 (10-3 AAC), and the Bulldogs fall to 12-8 (7-8 AAC).

The Skyhawks return to action Wednesday, Jan. 26, as they travel to Reinhardt for an Appalachian Athletic Conference matchup at 5:30 p.m.