Women’s Basketball advances to the AAC Championship with a win over Montreat
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (Feb. 24, 2023)- The Point University women's basketball team returned to the court today for the semi-final game of the Appalachian Athletic Conference and successfully defeated Montreat with a final score of 55-39.
The Cavaliers started the game with a mid-range jumper to get on the scoreboard first, but the Skyhawks countered with a steal from Mataea Boyd that set up the layup from Ky'Leo Worriels. Boyd crept in the passing lane again to collect two more steals to put Point ahead with a 6-2 score. The intensity of the defense from both teams showed as Montreat created some stops, which set up a converted three-pointer to tie it at seven. The Skyhawks continued to push the tempo on offense as Jasmine Griggs skipped through the lane for the acrobatic layup. Mataea Boyd followed with a solid take to the lane to increase their lead to four. Ky'Leo Worriels continued to battle in the post as she was fouled before the final buzzer, which saw her go one for two from the charity stripe.
Marta Gimenez and Sheyvonne Owens got Point going in the second quarter as their rack attack continued to go in their favor. Montreat ended their cold streak on offense as their following five points came from a layup and three-pointer. The Skyhawks remained composed as Marta Gimenez and Mataea Boyd breezed past the defense to increase their lead to 20-12. Boyd continued to break out her bag of tricks against the Cavaliers as she spun through the defense to bring Point's lead to 10. Montreat looked to move past the Skyhawks' suffocating defense by drawing fouls which helped send them to the free-throw line to bring their deficit back to single digits. Point's offensive system of controlling the pace and forcing mismatches did not stop as Mataea Boyd and Ky'Leo Worriels put the Skyhawks' lead back to 10 to go into halftime.
Mirial Cannon got Point going in the third quarter with an and-one layup, and she converted on the free throw to follow. The Skyhawks slowed the pace as the quarter went on, and their following six points came from the charity stripe to extend their lead to 35-19. Marta Gimenez's steal set up the made jump shot from Mirial Cannon to keep their run going. With Point using the free throw line to their advantage, Ky'Leo Worriels crashed the boards for the offensive rebound to send the Skyhawks into the fourth quarter with a 20-point lead.
Mataea Boyd's hot day did not slow down as she extended Point's lead to start the fourth quarter. Mirial Cannon followed with a jump shot to bring their lead to 47-25. Montreat looked to find answers in the paint for the Skyhawks, but Point kept chomping as Sheyvonne Owens scored the next basket for Point. With under five minutes left, the Cavaliers started to find some rhythm on offense by stringing along two layups in a row. Montreat cut Point's lead to 15 with 2:49 left with hopes of a big run to shock the Skyhawks, but Point continued to rally and play keep away. Chinedu Nnadi would make the final basket for the Skyhawks to send Point into victory to advance to the AAC Championship game.
In the Box
Mataea Boyd led with 14 Points, six rebounds and five steals. Mirial Cannon followed with 11 Points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal. Ky'Leo Worriels added 10 Points, eight rebounds, one steal and one block.
Up Next
With today's victory, Point will advance to the AAC Championship against Bryan College tomorrow at 1:00 P.M. This will set up the rematch between the two opponents where the Lions got the best of Point earlier in the season on January 25. Point will look to finish the job on their historic season and push for a bid at the National Round.