Women’s Basketball unable to cool down the Fire on the road
LAKELAND, Fla. (Dec. 9, 2023) - The Point University Women's Basketball team returned to action for a Saturday afternoon nonconference game against Southeastern University in a hard-fought battle where the Skyhawks fell to the Fire 76-73.
Mataea Boyd got the Skyhawks going with two made free throws from the charity stripe on multiple possessions which saw Point trailing 5-4. Point did not take long to gain their first lead of the game as Antonia Pittman scored on the three-pointer. The Fire did respond with a layup on the opposite end but the Skyhawks continued to trade scores which helped Point take the lead with another three-pointer from Antonia Pittman followed by a layup from Ky'Leo Worriels. Southeastern regained the lead with a triple and added to their lead with a layup to end the first quarter leading 25-20.
The Skyhawks did not take long to start the second quarter with a three-pointer to trail by two. As Shakira Wilson drove the lane with the shot clock winding down, she was able to find Ky'Leo Worriels in the post for the go-ahead layup. The Fire did not take long to respond as their following nine points came from three consecutive triples to lead 34-29 before Mataea Boyd scored to halt the run. The Fire continued to find their momentum by taking their biggest lead of the game with a 45-35 lead to go into halftime.
Mataea Boyd opened the third quarter with two three-pointers to cut into the Fire lead with a score of 52-41. The Skyhawks' momentum kicked in at the right time as Boyd converted the layup and three-pointer to keep the game within distance. Shanbriah Rule entered the frenzy by crashing the boards for the putback layup which resulted in an and-one to bring the score 54-49. Southeastern continued to light it up from behind the arc but the Skyhawks' free-throw opportunities helped bring the game to a three-point contest in the third period. Antonia Pittman tied the game with a three-pointer which followed with a layup from Mirial Cannon and Ananda Hughley to lead 63-61 at the end of the third quarter.
The action picked up in the final period as Antonia Pittman put the Skyhawks ahead with a three-pointer bringing the score to 66-63. Point added to the lead with a layup in the paint from Mirial Cannon. The back-and-forth scoring from both opponents continued to keep any viewer on the edge of their seat as Mataea Boyd brought the Skyhawks' lead to three points. Ky'Leo Worriels showed why she can be a force anywhere on the court as she knocked down a three-pointer to bring the score to 73-69. With under two minutes, the Fire tied the game at 73 and would be able to put the game in their hands to convert on their final three free throws to win 76-73.
In the Box
Mataea Boyd led with 23 Points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. Antonia Pittman added 15 Points, three assists and one steal. Ky'Leo Worriels contributed 13 Points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. Miral Cannon and Shanbriah Rule also were in double figures as Cannon added her second consecutive double-double with 10 Points and 14 Rebounds. Rule added 10 Points and five assists.
Up Next
The Skyhawks will continue their road trip as Point returns to SSAC Play in Thomasville, Georgia to take on Thomas University on Saturday, December 16th starting at 2:00 P.M.