Flying Eagles fall in Season Opener
The SWCC women’s basketball team kicked off the 2024 season by traveling to Kentucky to take on the University of Pikeville’s JV team. UPIKE is a NAIA school that competes in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The Flying Eagles gave the bears all they could handle, staying within a basket or two for much of the game, however they fell just short dropping the game 58-56.
The Flying Eagles were led by Sophomore Paige Niethammer. The Newport Tennessee native picked up right where she left off the 2023-2024 season, finishing the game with a double-double. The 2023-24 All-Region 1st team member dropped 22 points on 50% shooting from the field. She dominated the glass with 18 rebounds, had 4 assists, 5 blocks, and 2 steals.
Freshman Emma Owens performed well in her 1st trip back to the bluegrass state. The Harlan KY native finished the game with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
The Flying Eagles as a team shot a tick under 40% from the field, 26% from behind the arc, and grabbed a total of 52 rebounds. Moving forward the group will need to clean up the turnover column as the team committed 25 turnovers.
Coach Lambert’s team kicks off their home schedule Monday Nov. 11th at 6pm with a rematch against the UPIKE Bears.