AUM Men's Basketball drop home opener to Point | Schools

Junior Dominique Ellis scored a season-high 15 points to lead the Auburn University at Montgomery men’s basketball, but Point University converted 60 percent of its shots for the game and handed the Warhawks a 78-65 loss Thursday at the AUM Gymnasium.

With the loss, the Warhawks fell to 1-2 on the season, while the Skyhawks improved to 6-1 on the year. AUM returns to action Friday, November 16, at 7:30 p.m., when it hosts Lee University.

“We ran into a real buzz saw tonight,” head coach Larry Chapman said. “They were a skilled team and shot the ball very well. I thought we played hard and defended well, but when they extended their lead they took their time and methodically put the game away.”

Ellis was joined in double figures by Reshad Bickham’s 13 points. Freshman Tristen Harrell added nine points and junior Brett Person chipped in eight points. Senior Michael Acoff, who made his career debut with AUM, finished with six points and a team-high five rebounds.

For the game, the Warhawks converted 42.1 percent of their games, finishing 24-of-57 from the floor. However, Point converted 30-of-50 from the field, including 10-of-19 from behind the arc.

On the glass, AUM tallied 29 rebounds, compared to 31 for the Skyhawks. Ellis, Bickham and Acoff kept the Warhawks close on the boards with three offensive rebounds each. Timothy Mitchell pulled down a game-best 13 rebounds for Point.

Mitchell also led four Skyhawks in double figures, scoring 17 points, while adding seven blocks and three steals.

In the contest, AUM turned the ball over 20 times, leading 21 points for Point. The Warhawks forced 22 miscues and turned them into 28 points.

AUM started the game out with a furry, scoring the first five points and establishing an 11-5 following a tip-in by Ellis with 15:29 remaining in the opening period.

Despite the strong start, the momentum swung in the direction of the Skyhawks after a 7-0 run broke open a 19-19 tie midway through the half. Point pushed its lead to 11 points, 34-23, with 5:06 remaining. AUM closed the margin to within four points, but a tip-in by Mitchell as time expired returned the lead to 11 points at 43-32.

In the second half, the Skyhawks pushed their lead to as many as 21 points with 4:19 remaining, but the Warhawks closed the game with a 10-2 run to provide the final margin.

Source:  AUM Sports Information Director