Women’s Basketball defeats the Bulldogs for their second consecutive 20-win season

WEST POINT, Ga. (Feb. 14, 2023)- The Point University women's basketball team returned to action for their final regular home game of the regular season on Tuesday against Tennessee Wesleyan for an Appalachian Athletic Conference matchup and walked out victorious with a final score of 64-53. 

The Bulldogs jumped on the scoreboard first with a three-pointer to get going, but Marta Gimenez quickly responded with a three-pointer of her own to tie the game. Mirial Cannon got her day started with a smooth layup at the rim to put the Skyhawks ahead. Point continued to find ways to get their offense going as Marta Gimenez followed up on the next two possessions with layups to bring their lead to 10-5. Destinee Ellison came off the bench and instantly added impact for the Skyhawks with her quick handles that led her to the rim for the easy take. As the final seconds of the first quarter came to an end, Ananda Hughley found her sweet spot at the mid range for the last basket of the first quarter to lead 14-9. 

Tennesee Wesleyan started the second quarter with two three-pointers to jump ahead by one, but Ky'Leo Worriels quickly wiped away that lead as she scored on the layup. The Skyhawks started to push the pace on offense as Jasmine Griggs grabbed the rebound and finished on the other end for the e coast to coast layup. The Bulldogs did not let that momentum of Point stop their flow as they hit another three-point bomb to tie the game at 18. After the timeout from Point, The Bulldogs continued their run by taking the lead, but the Skyhawks did not let that last for long as Ky'Leo Worriels scored on the layup to tie it again. Point started to get their offense going again as Mataea Boyd scored on the strong finish to the lane, followed by Marta Gimenez's second three-pointer of the half. Mirial Cannon continued to score in any way possible as she converted on the three-point bomb along with a layup on the next possession. Mataea Boyd would score the last basket of the half as the Skyhawks led 32-27. 

Point started the quarter with Marta Gimenez continuing what she started in the first half from the three-point line. Mirial Cannon also did not the halftime phase her as she began with a mid-range jumper to bring the Skyhawks' lead to 11. The Bulldogs used their offense to draw fouls, which succeeded as they converted on the next four shots from the charity stripe. Mirial Cannon continued to break out the bag of tricks by scoring anywhere she wanted and would flip on the next two possessions with scores. Point's lead jumped back to 11 as Mataea Boyd converted the layup, but Tennessee Wesleyan also responded by scoring in the paint. Point's offense did not stop as their next two offensive possessions ended with made three-pointers from Mataea Boyd and Mirial Cannon. The Skyhawks finished the third quarter with one more score, as Cannon would be responsible for the score again. 

The Bulldogs looked to go on a big run within the fourth quarter as Jordan Wright breezed past the defense for the layup. Ky'Leo Worriels attacked the offensive boards with a putback layup to extend the lead to 14 for the Skyhawks. Mataea Boyd helped the Skyhawks continue their road to victory as she made her second three-pointer to bring the lead to 11. The Bulldogs continued to show effort as they got their deficit to single digits, but Mirial Cannon's hot day brought the lead to 61-51 with 1:54 left in the game. Point's final basket came off the three-point bomb from Marta Gimenez as she converted to help the Skyhawks finish the game with a final score of 64-53. 

In the box 

Mirial Cannon led with 21 Points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Marta Gimenez followed with 17 Points, five assists, five rebounds and one steal. Mataea Boyd added 12 Points, two assists, two rebounds and one steal on the evening. 

Significance of Tonight 

Tonight's win gave the Skyhawks their 20th win on the season, bringing them their second consecutive 20-win season. Also, with the victory over the Bulldogs, Point secured the #2 seed in the AAC Tournament, which will begin on Feb. 22 and wrap up on Feb. 25. 

Up next 

Point will travel to South Carolina for their final regular-season game of the year to take on Columbia International University in an AAC matchup starting at 5:30 P.M.