Women’s Basketball makes history by winning their first Conference Championship

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (Feb. 25, 2023) - The women's basketball team returned to the court for their biggest game of the year, facing Bryan College for the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship where their hard work paid off as they defeated the Lions 81-64. 

Mataea Boyd got the Skyhawks going with the first three-pointer of the game, followed by an and-one layup from Marta Gimenez. Point started to show their range as Jasmine Griggs and Marta Gimenez followed with two three-pointers in a row to move their lead to 12-5. The Skyhawks planned to start fast and continue pursuing their game plan as Ky'Leo Worriels powered through the defense for the layup. Mirial Cannon joined the barrage with a three-pointer to move Point's lead to 10, the Skyhawks did not stop there as Jasmine Griggs connected with her triple of the game. As the final seconds of the first quarter ended, Ky'Leo Worriels converted on the layup to lead 23-8 going into the second quarter. 

Bryan started with the first basket with hopes of a run to cool off the Skyhawks, but Mataea Boyd responded with strength and speed as she powered through the lane for the layup. The Lions took the next two scores as Bryan scored from a layup and three-pointer. Mataea Boyd and Jasmine Griggs continued to lead the team with a spark as Boyd made another layup and Griggs made her third three-pointer. The Skyhawks did not solely rely on their three-point shot as the following two scores came from the paint. Bryan ended the quarter on a 6-0 run to trail 34-25 at halftime. 

Mataea Boyd gave Point their first score of the third quarter, and Bryan would tack on four more points to trail by seven. Boyd continued to be aggressive in the lane by striking for another layup. Jasmine Griggs proved that her first half of big shots was not luck as she converted on the acrobatic layup to take the energy away from the Lions. Marta Gimenez got her half going by giving the Skyhawks a nine-point lead as she flipped on the three-point opportunity. The following two scores put Point ahead by double digits as Jasmine Griggs and Mataea Boyd were responsible for the following two. Both teams started to trade baskets on the next few possessions until Mataea Boyd scored on another take to the lane, and Jasmine Griggs fired the team up with an and-one layup. Bryan would score the final basket of the quarter to trail 54-42 to go into the last quarter. 

Mataea Boyd and Ky'Leo Worriels gave Point the first two baskets of the quarter to extend their lead. The Lions started to catch rhythm as their following two buckets brought their deficit within 10. Mirial Cannon stepped up for her successful signature jump shot, and Jasmine Griggs followed up with another layup in the paint. With under five minutes, the competitive spirit in the gym rose to an all-time high as the Skyhawks led 62-52. Ky'Leo Worriels did what she does best by crashing the boards and converting the and-one layup on the offensive rebound. Point's following 11 scores came from the free throw line, which showed they were unafraid of the big moment. Mataea Boyd scored the final layup for Point, and the last four points came from free throws to successfully crown the Skyhawks as the 2023 AAC Tournament Champions for the first time in school history. 

Significance of this Win 

Before this game, Point had a lock for the NAIA National Tournament since they were the runner-ups for the season in the AAC. The Skyhawks knew they wanted this game to run the table at the tournament and wipe away the loss from Bryan in January. The Skyhawks created their legacy by winning the conference championship in the last year as a member of the AAC and will now look forward to competing in the National Tournament which starts on March 7th. 

In the Box 

Jasmine Griggs led with 26 Points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Mataea Boyd followed with 22 Points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal. Marta Gimenez added 14 Points, six assists and four rebounds.  

All-Tournament Team 

Jasmine Griggs and Marta Gimenez were named as players on the AAC All-Tournament Team. Mataea Boyd was named the MVP of the AAC Tournament. 

Up Next 

The Women's Basketball team will gear up for the NAIA National Tournament which will begin on March 7th.