Lady Bobcats Crowned Back to Back Conference Tournament Champions, Earn Second Straight National Tournament Bid

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | Jeffrey Cooney Jr.

The Bryant and Stratton Lady Bobcats concurred the mountain top for the second consecutive year and earned a trip back to the National Tournament. The Bobcats after receiving a first-round bye, faced the Guilford Tech CC Titans in the round two Quarterfinals, the Cleveland CC Yetis in the round three Semifinals, and the Cape Fear CC Sea Devils in the Championship, a rematch of last year's Championship.

vs. Guilford Tech (Quarterfinals):

• The Bryant & Stratton College (VA) women's basketball team put together a commanding performance, overpowering Guilford Technical Community College with a 72-41 victory. A strong defensive effort and an explosive third quarter propelled the Bobcats to the decisive win.
• Bryant & Stratton set the tone early, jumping out to a 22-9 lead in the first quarter. Although both teams struggled offensively in the second, the Bobcats held their ground, maintaining a 29-16 advantage at halftime. The game was ultimately decided in the third quarter, where Bryant & Stratton exploded for 24 points while limiting Guilford Tech to just six, effectively putting the game out of reach.
• Rakyla Jones led the Bobcats with 15 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals, providing an all-around stellar performance. Sian Lewin made a major impact off the bench, shooting an efficient 8-for-11 from the field to finish with 16 points and four rebounds.
• Shakerra Reddicks was dominant in the paint, securing eight rebounds to go with nine points and three assists, while Wisdom Banks contributed nine points and four assists. Yvette Sandifer facilitated the offense with eight assists and six points, while Hailey Harris added eight points, knocking down two three-pointers.
• Defensively, Bryant & Stratton suffocated Guilford Tech, forcing 15 steals and holding their opponent to just 41 points. The Bobcats also controlled the boards, outrebounding Guilford Tech 30-10, and limited them to under 30% shooting from the field.

vs. Cleveland CC (Semifinals):

• Bryant & Stratton College (VA) put together a dominant performance, pulling away in the second quarter and never looking back in a commanding 72-53 victory over Cleveland Community College.
• After a tightly contested opening quarter, which ended tied at 14, the Bobcats took control with an 18-10 second quarter, building momentum behind a balanced offensive attack. The team continued to apply pressure, outscoring Cleveland 18-11 in the third and sealing the game with a 22-point fourth quarter.
• Leading the way for Bryant & Stratton was Yvette Sandifer, who posted an efficient 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while also contributing five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Janiyaha Pickett was a steady presence at the free-throw line, going a perfect 8-for-8 to finish with 10 points and five assists.
• The Bobcats' depth proved to be a major factor, with Wisdom Banks (10 points, four rebounds, four assists) and Shakerra Reddicks (13 points, five rebounds) making key contributions off the bench. Rakyla Jones put together an all-around performance, tallying 10 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists for a double-double.
• Defensively, Bryant & Stratton was relentless, forcing 13 steals and capitalizing on Cleveland's miscues. The Bobcats also controlled the paint, outrebounding their opponents 33-21, while shooting an impressive 50% from the field and a stellar 93.3% from the free-throw line.

vs. Cape Fear CC (Championship):

• The Bobcats held off a resilient Cape Fear Community College squad in a tightly contested battle, securing a 63-56 win. The Bobcats maintained their composure down the stretch, using a balanced offensive attack and a strong defensive presence to claim the victory.
• The game remained close throughout, with both teams locked at 16-16 after the first quarter. Bryant & Stratton gained momentum in the second, outscoring Cape Fear 18-13 to take a five-point lead into halftime. The Bobcats continued to execute well in the third quarter, extending their advantage to six before closing out the game with a gritty fourth-quarter effort.
• Rakyla Jones led the charge for Bryant & Stratton, filling the stat sheet with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and an impressive 10 steals, showcasing her dominance on both ends of the floor. Wisdom Banks provided a major spark off the bench, matching Jones' 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while adding six rebounds and four steals.
• Janiyaha Pickett contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, and a team-high eight assists, demonstrating her ability to facilitate the offense. Hailey Harris chipped in with seven points and five rebounds, while Yvette Sandifer dished out five assists and added four points.
• Defensively, the Bobcats were relentless, forcing 17 steals and holding Cape Fear to just 11 fourth-quarter points to seal the win. Bryant & Stratton also shot an efficient 47.1% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range, ensuring their offensive efficiency kept them ahead.

With another strong performance, the Bobcats extend their win streak to 17 consecutive as they look to build momentum heading into the National Tournament with history on their mind.