Skyhawks’ explosive second half gives them the extra boost over Brenau
WEST POINT, Ga. (Jan. 28, 2023) - The Point University Women's basketball team returned to action for an Appalachian Athletic Conference Matchup at home on Saturday against Brenau University and completed the season sweep with a win over Brenau with a final score of 76-59.
The first quarter started slow for both teams as the first basket was not scored until the 8:13 mark when Breanu converted on the layup. Jasmine Griggs helped put the Skyhawks on the scoreboard with a layup followed by a strong back-to-the-basket take from Ky'Leo Worriels. Point continued to get adjusted into the game as Mataea Boyd blew by the defender for the layup to put Point ahead by two. Both opponents started to trade baskets, but Point took the momentum on their side at the end of the first quarter as Marta Gimenez scored the take to the lane, along with Mataea Boyd converting on two free throws to put Point by one.
Mataea Boyd continued to help Point get their offense going as she scored in the paint to put Point ahead with a score of 15-13. Ananda Hughley entered the game on a mission to contribute as she knocked down a three-pointer to break another tie to put the Skyhawks ahead. Brenau did not back down as the Golden Tigers responded with a layup on the following possession. Mataea Boyd retaliated with a three-pointer of her own to give Point the 21-19 lead. The action continued with each team trading leads until Ananda Hughley finished through the contact for the and-one layup to make it a two-point game. This basket served as the final bucket for Point in the second period as Brenau finished the quarter on a 6-0 run to lead 32-27 at halftime.
The Golden Tigers jumped on the scoreboard first in the third quarter with a layup to extend their lead. Point brushed away the slow start in the first half as Mataea Boyd crept into the passing lanes for the steal and finished with the coast-to-coast layup. The Skyhawks' defense continued to up the ante as Ky'Leo Worriels rejected a layup at the rim, which set up the fastbreak layup from Mirial Cannon. The momentum continued to be on Point's side as Jasmine Griggs crashed the boards to convert on the layup, giving the Skyhawks their first lead of the half. The tempo from Point started to speed up as Mataea Boyd scored the next three layups for the Skyhawks to put them ahead by seven. Point's run continued as Ananda Hughley showed her strength in the post with the strong layup assisted by Marta Gimenez. The Skyhawks took their most significant lead of the evening after Marta Gimenez hit the nothing-but-net three-pointer, which brought the score to 46-36. Point could not be cooled down as Ananda Hughley, and Jasmine Griggs scored the next two baskets for the Skyhawks. Brenau ended the run with a three-pointer but trailed 50-39. The Skyhawks finished the third quarter with a layup from Jasmine Griggs, and Point ended the quarter on a 20-5 run.
The Golden Tigers cut their deficit to 10 by starting the final period with a three-pointer. Mirial Cannon put Point on the board with a smooth mid-range jumper. Tyleia Williams for Brenau cut their deficit back to single digits as she knocked down her second triple of the half. Mataea Boyd brought Point's lead back to 12 as she scored the next two layups for the Skyhawks. Brenau responded with another three-point ball, but the Skyhawks countered with another layup from Ananda Hughley as she continued to bring the momentum for the Skyhawks. Point added fuel to the fire as Marta Gimenez knocked down the three-point shot and Jasmine Griggs cashed in the mid-range jumper to bring their lead to 65-49. Ky'Leo Worriels was responsible for the next three scores for Point, converting on two free throws and two layups. Point scored their final basket in style as Ananda Hughley made another three-pointer to help the Skyhawks win 76-59.
In the box
Mataea Boyd led the Skyhawks with 21 Points, six rebounds, four steals and four assists. Ananda Hughley added 15 Points, six rebounds and one assist off the bench. Jasmine Griggs and Ky'Leo Worriels both finished with 10 Points, with Griggs adding nine rebounds and four assists. Worriels added five rebounds and one block.
Up Next
The Skyhawks will return to action for an AAC Matchup on Tuesday, January 31, for a road AAC matchup against Reinhardt University starting at 5:30 P.M.