Second-half surge not enough as Reinhardt falls to Point, 49-27

Waleska, Ga. - Reinhardt University dropped a 49-27 decision to Point on Saturday afternoon in Waleska, Ga., as an early 35-0 deficit proved too much to overcome despite a spirited second-half response from the Eagles.

Point set the tone with scores on its first three possessions and never trailed, taking a 21-0 lead after the first quarter behind an efficient passing attack. The visitors struck first on a 49-yard touchdown pass to Kenzie Phillian, then added a 22-yard scoring catch by Amara Davila and an 8-yard touchdown to Chinera Shaheed in the closing minute of the opening quarter. Two more second-quarter scores — a 5-yard touchdown reception by Leah Prather and a 5-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Corriah Williams — pushed the advantage to 35-0 before Reinhardt finally broke through late in the half.

The Eagles found needed momentum just before halftime when Nicole Arauz hauled in a 21-yard touchdown reception with 45 seconds left in the second quarter, cutting the margin to 35-6 after the extra point attempt was no good. That score sent Reinhardt into the locker room with life after being limited to 188 total yards on the day, including being held to negative rushing yardage on five attempts. The Eagles finished with eight first downs and four total touchdowns, relying largely on the passing game to chip away at the deficit.

Point answered quickly after halftime to regain control. Shaheed turned defense into offense early in the third quarter, intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown to make it 35-13 and blunt Reinhardt's momentum. Later in the quarter, Williams found Prather again, this time on a 4-yard touchdown strike, extending the lead to 42-13. Williams finished with a standout performance, going 33-for-53 passing for 388 yards and six touchdowns while also rushing six times for 59 yards and a score, helping Point total 449 yards and seven offensive touchdowns.

Reinhardt responded with its best stretch of the afternoon in the fourth quarter, sparked by a major defensive play. On the first snap of the final period, Caliyah Davis jumped a route and raced 60 yards for an interception return touchdown, bringing the Eagles within 42-21 after a successful PAT. The defense continued to battle, generating stops that gave the offense additional opportunities to close the gap.

Capitalizing on that defensive effort, Reinhardt engineered one of its most efficient drives midway through the fourth quarter. After a long gain to flip field position, quarterback Alexus Wilson connected with Victoria Salmon on a 3-yard touchdown pass with 6:16 remaining, trimming the deficit to 42-27 following a missed extra point. Salmon was a key target in the passing game, finishing with five receptions for 88 yards and a score as the Eagles continued to attack through the air.

Point added one final score on a 7-yard touchdown reception by Prather with 1:14 left to set the final margin at 49-27. Despite the loss, Reinhardt showed resilience in the second half with a defensive touchdown, multiple takeaways and sustained scoring drives. The Eagles will look to build on the late surge, especially the playmaking from Davis, Salmon and Arauz, as they regroup and prepare for their next outing.