Women’s Basketball open the new year with a win over Bluefield
BLUEFIELD, Va. (Jan. 3, 2022) - The Point University women's basketball team returned to Appalachian Athletic Conference in a road matchup against Bluefield University on Tuesday afternoon and prevailed to win with a final score of 88-73.
The Rams jumped on the scoreboard first with two free throws and a triple to lead 5-0 in the early going. Mataea Boyd gave Point their first game score with a layup followed by a steal and layup from Jasmine Griggs. The Skyhawks took their first-game lead with a made basket from Miral Cannon. Point continued their run as Cannon connected with Ky'leo Worriels for the layup to push their lead to three. Bluefield halted the early run of the Skyhawks with another three-pointer to tie the game, but that tie was wiped away as Mirial Cannon scored another basket for Point. The teamwork of the Skyhawks continued to be shown as Sheyvonne Owens forced a steal on the defensive, which set up the layup by Cannon, who Marta Gimenez assisted. With the Skyhawks ahead by four, Destinee Ellison added fuel to the fire with a three-pointer to push Point further. The defensive intensity from the Skyhawks continued to be a hassle on Bluefield as Mirial Cannon forced another to set up the made layup from Sheyvonne Owens. The Rams would find life on their possession as Jadyn Hoover scored the basket, hoping to end the Skyhawks' run. Mataea Boyd and Sheyvonne Owens scored the next two baskets for the Skyhawks to give them their most significant lead with 11 in the first quarter.
Ananda Hugley put the Skyhawks on the scoreboard first in the second period as she knocked down both free throws. The Rams returned on the offensive end with a bucket made by Kylie Meadows to bring their deficit back to 11. Chinedu Nnadi entered the game on a mission as she scored her first basket with a layup. Nnadi continued to boost Point as she collected a steal to assist Ananda Hughley on the layup. Bluefield looked to find answers on offense, secured with a three-pointer to now trail 29-17. Chinedu Nnadi showed how dangerous she was from behind the arc and responded with a three-point shot of her own. The Skyhawks swiftly moved the ball on offense as Mirial Ca Cannon scored the subsequent layup for Point. The Rams looked for answers on defense, but Chinedu Nnadi made her second three-pointer of the quarter to push their lead to 37-21. Point's presence in the paint was consistent through their offensive sets, as their next four baskets were all off layups to go into the half.
The Rams first started the half on the scoreboard with hopes of wiping away their cold first half. Their defensive plan seemed to work until Mataea Boyd made a three-point shot for Point's first-half basket. The Skyhawks continued to show patience on the offensive end as Jasmine Griggs scored the layup before a timeout was called. Following that, Mataea Boyd scored the next two baskets for Point to move their lead to 18. Point went back to the inside-out game as their three baskets from layups, and the fourth basket was a triple by Chinedu Nnadi.
Ky'leo Worriels gave the Skyhawks their first basket of the final period, but the Rams looked the pick up some steam on offense as Bluefield scored the following seven points to trail by 12. Point stopped the 7-0 run by the Rams as Miral Cannon and Marta Gimenez scored the next two baskets for the Skyhawks. Point continued to pull away with their lead as Ananda Hughley scored a tough layup in the paint, followed by a basket from Destinee Ellison. Point took their most significant game lead with 20 as Mataea Boyd, and Kyra Hart scored the go-ahead baskets. Hart would score the last bucket for the Skyhawks to end the game with a final score of 88-73.
In the box
Mataea Boyd led the Skyhawks with 22 Points, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Reigning AAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week, Mirial Cannon, followed with 12 Points, eight rebounds, two steals and one block. Chinedu Nnadi added 11 Points and one steal off the bench.
Up next
The Skyhawks will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 7, for a non-conference game against Brewton-Parker College on the road starting at noon.