Women’s Basketball falls to Thomas More in the NAIA First Round

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. (Mar. 7, 2023) - The Point University Women's Basketball team traveled to Kentucky for the first round of the NAIA National Tournament to face off against the number one seed, Thomas More University, where they fell to the Saints 73-47.  

The Saints jumped on the scoreboard with the first two layups until Ky'Leo Worriels responded with a layup of her own. Point jumped in front with a three-pointer from Mataea Boyd, but the Saints wiped the lead away by going on a 12-0 run to bring their lead to five. Mataea Boyd and Sheyvonne Owens scored the last buckets for the Skyhawks in the first period to trail 21-13.  

Mirial Cannon started the Skyhawks off with the jump shot, bringing it to 21-15. The Saints continued to push their lead ahead by making their next three triples to lead by double digits. Mirial Cannon and Kyra Hart added a spark for the Skyhawks by scoring their next two shots for Point. Ananda Hughley entered the fray by making her signature jump shot, but Thomas More ended the second quarter with a 6-0 run to lead 41-22 at the half. 

Mirial Cannon and Jasmine Griggs started the quarter with two consecutive baskets for Point, hoping to cut into the lead from the Saints. Mataea Boyd added to the quick start from Point with a three-pointer followed by a layup from Ky'Leo Worriels. Thomas More continued their hot shooting night by scoring consistently from behind the arc and in the paint. Sheyvonne Owens opened the fourth quarter by scoring the first two layups for the Skyhawks. Ky'Leo Worriels would score the final baskets for the Skyhawks as Thomas More pushed their lead further to win and eliminate the Skyhawks from the tournament. 

In the box 

Mataea Boyd, Ky'Leo Worriels, and Mirial Cannon each contributed 11 points for the Skyhawks. Sheyvonne Owens added six points off the bench. 

Season Recap 

With the loss today, the Skyhawks finish the season with a 23-9 record. 

Point finished the season with the AAC Coach of the Year, AAC Newcomer of the Year, two first-team All-Conference players, two second-team all-conference players, and four all-defensive team players. 

The Skyhawks went undefeated in December for their second consecutive 20-win season for their program.  

To add to their historic season, the Skyhawks saw Marta Gimenez score her 1,000th career point earlier.  

To finish their historic season, Point won their first AAC Championship in school history and appeared in the NAIA National Tournament.