Flying Eagles Fall Short Against #18 Bryant & Stratton on Sophomore Day
Game Recap: Women's Basketball
2/24/2025 | Shaun Schetka
Cedar Bluff, VA- The Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) women’s basketball team looked to extend their nine-game winning streak on Sunday afternoon as they hosted No. 18 Bryant & Stratton (VA) on Sophomore Day. Prior to tipoff, SWCC honored sophomores Paige Niethammer and Maddie Day—two instrumental players in Coach Lambert’s program and among the most prolific offensive threats in program history.
In a tightly contested battle, the Flying Eagles fought hard but ultimately fell short, as the Bobcats escaped with a 54-50 victory.
Turnovers and Free Throws Prove Costly
Turnovers and missed free throws were the deciding factors for SWCC. Bryant & Stratton’s relentless defensive pressure—utilizing full-court presses and half-court traps—disrupted the Flying Eagles’ offensive rhythm. SWCC committed 22 turnovers, leading to 18 points for the Bobcats. Conversely, the Flying Eagles forced 12 turnovers but managed to convert them into just three points.
At the free-throw line, SWCC had opportunities but struggled to capitalize, shooting just 53.8% from the stripe and leaving crucial points off the board.
Niethammer Shines in Standout Performance
Despite the loss, Paige Niethammer delivered another dominant performance, recording a game-high 27 points along with 11 rebounds—marking her 22nd double-double of the season. Maddie Day added nine points as the team’s second-leading scorer.
Looking Ahead
The Flying Eagles will aim to bounce back on Tuesday February 25th when they host the University of Mount Olive’s JV team. Tipoff is set for 5:00 p.m. at the King Community Center