Flyers Fall to Generals in NJCAA Quarterfinals

The No. 4 seed Sandhills Community College Flyers fell to the No. 5 seed Herkimer College Generals on Thursday afternoon in the 2024-25 NJCAA Men's Basketball Division III National Championship Tournament. Despite leading for most of the game, the Flyers saw their advantage slip away late, as the Generals secured a 75-72 victory.

With the loss, Sandhills moves to the consolation bracket, where they will face Dutchess Community College on Friday at 12 p.m. A win would send them to the fifth-place game on Saturday. Meanwhile, Herkimer advances to the semifinals to take on Dallas College Richland at 5 p.m. on Friday.

Game Recap

The Flyers got off to a strong start, taking an early 5-4 lead and using a 6-0 run to extend their advantage to 11-4. Maintaining their momentum, Sandhills outscored Herkimer 12-8, pushing the lead to 23-12.

However, the Generals responded with a 14-4 scoring run, trimming the Flyers' lead to 27-26. Sandhills quickly answered, rebuilding their cushion to 37-28 with under five minutes left in the half. Herkimer made one final push before the break, but Sandhills held a 41-36 advantage at halftime.

The second half opened with both offenses firing on all cylinders, trading baskets as Sandhills maintained a 50-45 lead. The tempo then slowed, shifting into a defensive battle, with the Flyers clinging to a 55-54 edge with under seven minutes to play.

Herkimer tied the game at 59-59 with a pair of free throws and took its first lead at 64-62 on a layup by Jayson McGhee at the 2:32 mark. Amarie Liburd answered with a layup to even the score at 64-64, but the Generals quickly regained the lead. Despite tying the game multiple times down the stretch, the Flyers were unable to reclaim control and fell just short.

Flyers' Standout Performers

• Damien Robinson – 15 points, 9 rebounds

• Kendall Smith – 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist

• Isaiah Upchurch – 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists

Sandhills will look to bounce back in Friday's matchup and finish strong in the tournament.

Z. Ciboth