Bobcats Battle Hard but Fall Short Against in First Round of National Tournament
Despite a strong effort and moments of promising play, the No.14 seeded Bryant & Stratton College Lady Bobcats couldn't overcome a slow start in a 67-48 loss to the No. 19 seeded Chattahoochee Valley Community College Pirates in the first round of the National Tournament.
The Lady Bobcats fell behind early, trailing 18-8 after the first quarter, and spent the rest of the game trying to climb back. While they showed resilience, particularly in the second quarter with a 19-point surge, the Pirates's size and efficiency proved too much to overcome. The Bobcats managed to only collect one three-pointer in the game and had one scorer in double digits, hats off to the Pirate defense.
Still, the Bobcats battled behind Janiyaha Pickett, who led the way with 10 points, knocking down six free throw attempts and adding four rebounds. Shakerra Reddicks anchored the interior with a gritty 8-point, 9-rebound outing, also adding three steals. Rakyla Jones chipped in across the board with five points, five boards, and four assists. Though the outcome wasn't what the Bobcats hoped for, their fight and flashes of potential on both ends of the court signal plenty to build on for next season.
The Bryant & Stratton Lady Bobcats Bounce Back with a Statement Win Over the College of Lake County Lancers in the Consolation game.
The Lady Bobcats put together one of their most complete performances of the season in a dominant 73-51 victory over the Lancers. The Bobcats came out strong and maintained control from start to finish, using a combination of efficient shooting, ball movement, and aggressive defense to build momentum. After taking a 5-point halftime lead, the team erupted for 24 points in the fourth quarter to seal the game convincingly. The Bobcats shot an impressive 50.9% from the field and dished out 22 assists on 29 made field goals, showcasing unselfish team play throughout.
Several Bobcats stood out in the victory. Hailey Harris was lights out from beyond the arc, hitting 5-of-10 threes en route to a team-high 17 points while also grabbing six rebounds. Rakyla Jones filled the stat sheet with 16 points, seven assists, six steals, and three rebounds, playing a critical role on both ends of the court. Yvette Sandifer added 14 points and led the team with eight assists, orchestrating the offense with poise. Off the bench, Wisdom Banks provided a spark with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, while Sian Lewin chipped in six points and four boards. The Bobcats' balanced effort and defensive intensity were key in snapping back into the win column.
This brings the Lady Bobcats outstanding season to a finish of 28-5 overall, 19-1 in conference.