Late Rally Comes Up Short for Flyers Against Virginia Peninsula

The Sandhills Community College Flyers came up just short Friday night, falling 83–82 to Virginia Peninsula Community College in a tightly contested home matchup at the Dempsey Student Center.

Virginia Peninsula jumped out to a strong start, taking a 51–40 lead into halftime, but the Flyers responded with a determined second-half effort. Sandhills outscored the visitors 42–32 after the break and had multiple chances late before Virginia Peninsula held on in the final moments.

Zack Noel led the Flyers with a strong all-around performance, finishing with 13 points and a team-high 13 rebounds. Mylon Campbell and Isaiah Upchurch also scored 13 points apiece, while Randy Dockery added 10 points. Nysheed Williams provided a spark off the bench, scoring 12 points and going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.

Sandhills shot 45.3 percent from the field and converted 21-of-27 attempts at the foul line, keeping the game within reach throughout the closing stretch. Defensively, the Flyers recorded six steals and two blocks while battling on the glass.

The Flyers will wrap up their January homestand on Sunday, Jan. 18, hosting Cleveland Community College at 3:00 p.m. at the Dempsey Student Center.

Sandhills will also host the Martin Luther King Jr. High School Classic on Monday, Jan. 19, featuring a full afternoon of high school basketball. The event begins at 1:00 p.m. with Pinecrest girls vs. Queen's Grant, followed by Pinecrest boys vs. Apex Friendship at 2:30 p.m., and concludes with Union Pines vs. Willow Spring at 4:30 p.m. Admission to all games is $8.00.