Point Slips Past Golden Tigers Basketball in Overtime

The Brenau basketball team fell 71-64 to Point University in overtime in a thrilling Appalachian Athletic Conference matchup on Saturday.

With 21 seconds remaining in regulation, Lia Thomas made one of two free throws to tie the game at 56-56, but the Golden Tigers were unable to sustain momentum in the overtime period to take the loss.

The Brenau offense outscored the host Skyhawks 14-13 in the first quarter and held on to take a 30-29 lead into the intermission.

After the break, the game continued to be a back and forth affair as Point's Nicole Izuagie made a three pointer at the 6:21 mark in the third quarter to give the home team a 38-32 lead. However, the Golden Tigers answered with a 12-0 run to take a 43-38 lead late in the third quarter.

With 5:21 remaining in the fourth quarter, Brenau's Kierra Knight scored on an offensive rebound to give the Golden Tigers a 53-45 lead- their largest of the game. Point responded with a 6-0 run to cut the lead to one with only 2:48 remaining. For the next 2:18, both teams failed to score until Point's Taylor Tucker hit a pair of free throws to give the Skyhawks a 56-55 advantage. Thomas then hit one of two free throws with 21 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, Point pulled away with a 15-8 quarter to escape with the win.

"We played well enough to win, but missed some crucial shots at critical times when we had opportunities to pull away," said head coach Kris Stewart. "We have struggled with injuries all season, but are still improving and competing. Our team showed a lot of fight today against a solid Point squad and I believe we will continue to get better."

Thomas led Brenau with 12 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, while Cameron Mims added 11 points. Jane Lester posted 10 points and four rebounds and Madison Phillips added eight points and a career-high 10 boards.

Izuagie and Destinee Webster each had 17 points to lead Point.

Brenau (4-3 overall, 2-2 AAC) next travels to Columbia International University (0-4 overall, 0-4 AAC) on Tuesday at 5:30 pm.