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Photo taken by Roman Jones
Photo taken by Roman Jones
Posted: Dec 13, 2022

Boyd’s career high helps the Skyhawks hold on for the win over CIU

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WEST POINT, Ga. (Dec. 13, 2022) - The Point University returned to the West Point Park Gymnasium on Tuesday night for an Appalachian Athletic Conference matchup against the Columbia International Rams and would come out victorious with a final score of 67-61. 

Mataea Boyd started her hot evening with the first two baskets to put the Skyhawks ahead 4-0. The Rams returned with a solid take to the paint to get their first score of the game. After the two free throws made by Jasmine Griggs, the Skyhawks added to their quick start with a triple from Marta Gimenez. CIU did not shy away as they retaliated with a three-pointer to trail by four. Ky'Leo Worriels and Mirial Cannon added fuel to the fire for the Skyhawks by scoring the next two baskets to push their lead further. Following the layup from the Rams, Mataea Boyd knocked down her first three-pointer to give Point a nine-point lead at the 3:09 mark. Ananda Hughley dropped the mid-range floater in the bucket to give the Skyhawks their first double-digit game lead. The offense of Point continued to flourish as Jasmine Griggs dished out the assist to Mirial Cannon for the jumper to move their lead to 20-7. Cannon and Griggs connected again on the next offensive possession to give the Skyhawks two more points. 

Chinedu Nnadi entered the mayhem by starting Point with a three-ball in the second quarter. The Rams ended Point's run as Somarian Webb scored the basket to bring their deficit to 16. The Skyhawks' offense returned to form as Mirial Cannon drove the paint for the successful layup to bring Point ahead with a 28-10 lead. Chinedu Nnadi followed with a layup of her own, and Mataea Boyd scored big with the and-one to get the Skyhawks ahead by 20. Marta Gimenez and Ky'Leo Worriels scored the last baskets for Point to end the half with a 36-15 lead. 

Madison Hatcher put the Rams on the scoreboard first to start the third quarter, but Marta Gimenez responded with a layup to put Point back ahead by 21. Mataea Boyd started cooking her hot streak as she scored nine points for the Skyhawks with three nothing-but-net three-pointers. Ananda Hughley added to Point's lead with another layup in the paint to extend the lead to 49-23. The Rams finished the third quarter by scoring the last five points, hoping to build momentum to go into the fourth.  

CIU started the final quarter with a bucket by Jaylyn Twitty to bring the score to 49-31. Ky'Leo Worriels scored the first basket for the Skyhawks, followed by another layup from Mataea Boyd. CIU started to catch some steam as they scored the following two buckets to trail by 16. Boyd put the Skyhawks ahead 62-41 as she drove the lane for another strong take. With 1:17 left, Mataea Boyd caught the ball at the high post for another layup to give her 30 points on the evening. CIU showed no quit as they went on a 13-2 run to try to steal the joy from Point in the late minutes. Ananda Hughley made the final two free throws which seemed to seal the game. 

In the box 

Mataea Boyd led for a season and career-high of 30 points while adding four rebounds and two assists. Mirial Cannon followed with nine points and four rebounds. Marta Gimenez followed with seven points, seven assists, and three rebounds. Ky'Leo Worriels led with 17 rebounds for the Skyhawks, two rebounds shy of her season-high of 19. 

Coach's Quote 

Head Coach Tory Wooley was pleased with his team finishing with a win and ending it right before the Holidays. "I thought we did an outstanding job rebounding the ball and taking care of the ball for the majority of the game. Mataea Boyd was dominant on both ends of the floor and her 30 point performance was huge for us. We got solid guard play from Jasmine and Marta, who had 12 combined assists. Mirial and Ky'Leo led our frontcourt on the defensive end, and Ky'Leo's 17 rebounds really set the tone. Overall it was a great team win. We are going into the Christmas break on a good note but have unfinished business next semester." 

Up Next 

The Skyhawks will return to court after Christmas to end 2022 off at the West Point Park Gymnasium for a home non-conference game against Faulkner University starting at 3:00 P.M.