Women’s basketball falls in tough battle with Milligan

WEST POINT, Ga. (Feb. 16, 2022) – The Point University women's basketball team held a two-point lead going into the second half of Wednesday afternoon's Appalachian Athletic Conference matchup with Milligan University, but an explosive third quarter by the Buffaloes would be the contest's defining factor, as Milligan went on to win 68-54.

Both teams were tied 6-6 in the first quarter before a layup from Hannah Williams, followed by an old-fashioned 3-pointer from Nicole Izuagie, would give the Skyhawks a five-point lead. Back-to-back 3-pointers from the Buffaloes would give Milligan the lead 12-11, but Sheyvonne Owens would connect for back-to-back layups to provide Point with a 3-point advantage (15-12). At the buzzer, Milligan's Kristy Galea would connect for a triple to even the score at 15 entering the second quarter.

In the second quarter, every basket the Skyhawks made, Milligan would answer until back-to-back layups from the Buffaloes would give Milligan the lead 23-22. Williams would answer with a layup and Izuagie would connect for a triple to extend Point's lead out 27-23. The Buffaloes again would work their way back and tie the score at 27 with less than a minute remaining, but a trip to the free-throw line from Williams would give Point a two-point advantage entering the second half (29-27).

Over the first five minutes of the second half, Milligan opened with an 11-3 run to jump ahead 38-32. A triple from Izuagie would cut the Buffaloes lead back down to three, but Milligan would answer with an 11-2 run to close the half. Milligan entered the final quarter leading 49-37 and would hold its lead for the rest of the game.

Williams and Izuagie were the only Skyhawks to make it to the double-figure scoring column, with Williams connecting for 20 points and Izuagie scoring 15. Williams added five rebounds, four assists and five steals. Owens led the team with seven rebounds and recorded six points, Marta Gimenez finished with eight points, five rebounds and five assists and Tasha Jackson tallied six boards.

With Wednesday's defeat, Point falls to 21-6 (17-6 AAC).

Point will compete in its regular-season finale on Saturday, as the Skyhawks host Tennessee Wesleyan at 2 p.m. inside West Point Park Gymnasium. The Skyhawks will honor the members of its senior class prior to Saturday's contest.