(RV) Point Park wins big over IU Kokomo in RSC WBB Game of the Week, 81-54
(RV) Point Park wins big over IU Kokomo in RSC WBB Game of the Week, 81-54
By Point Park Sports Information
Box Score
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. -- Point Park University won big over IU Kokomo, 81-54, on Saturday in the River States Conference Women's Basketball Game of the Week at CCAC-South Gym.
The Pioneers (15-4, 5-1 RSC), which is "receiving votes" in the last NAIA DII Top 25 Poll, bounced back from a loss to Midway on Friday night in a big way. Point Park built on a 30-23 halftime lead by outscoring IU Kokomo (12-6, 5-1 RSC), 51-31, in the second half and handing the Cougars their first conference loss.
Point Park freshman guard Tyra James poured in 18 of her career-high 31 points in the third quarter. James scored 11 points and drained three treys as part of a 16-2 run coming out of the halftime locker room. By that time, Point Park was up, 46-25, to take control.
James, from Toledo, Ohio, was not done after the opening run. Her fourth and final 3-pointer of the quarter was followed up by a trey from Celina DiPietro as the Pioneers were ahead, 59-36, headed into the fourth quarter. The third quarter was 29-13 in favor of Point Park.
James' 31 points came on 7 of 10 from long range, which was one off the team record for most treys in a game of eight. Her impressive shooting day included 10 of 13 from the floor and 4 of 4 from the foul line.
On the scoring end of things, it was James who had the biggest total. But many Pioneers contributed to the win. Ja'Nia McPhatter finished with 11 points, four assists and three steals. Maryssa Agurs tallied 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Point Park's Shaniya Rivers turned in eight points and six rebounds. She hit a 3-pointer to put the Pioneers ahead, 26-19, late in the first half. Point Park had an 18-12 lead after the first quarter.
DiPietro tallied six points and four assists. Center Baylee Buleca had a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with four points and three blocks.
Point Park's 30-23 halftime lead came after 33-percent shooting the first half. The Pioneers improved on that with 46 percent the rest of the way. Point Park scored 24 points at the foul line and was 24 for 39 from there.
IU Kokomo had 20 points from Deja Felder and 12 points each from Whitney Williamson and Abby Scott. The Cougars had many fouls with four starters and their sixth man fouling out.
Abby Scott hit a 3-pointer with 5:37 left in the first quarter to give IU Kokomo a 7-6 lead. But that was the last time the Cougars led.
Point Park has its next games Jan. 13-14 at No. 21 IU East and Ohio Christian. IU Kokomo has its next games Jan. 10 at home versus IU Southeast.