Miller and Quiller Dominate Inside as Flyers Grab Important Road Win
In last Saturday's home game against Catawba Valley CC, Sandhills Community College forwards Derreco Miller and Bryan Quiller spent most of the afternoon on the bench in foul trouble before fouling out. The Flyers won the game, but were out-rebounded in the process.
"Our big emphasis after that game was for our forwards to be more aggressive and to do a better job of rebounding," Coach Mike Apple said following Monday's 106-100 win at Louisburg College. "They (Hurricanes) didn't have an answer for our insides today."
Miller made all 12 of his shots from the field and scored 25 points to go with nine rebounds. Quiller put together a double-double that included 22 points and 11 boards. Off the bench, Camron Zachary chipped in with 10 points and nine rebounds.
With second place in Region 10 on the line, the Flyers converted eight of nine free throws in the final 1:01 to hold off one last rally by the Hurricanes.
Ranked No. 6 in this week's NJCAA Division II poll, the Flyers take a record of 14-2 overall, and 11-2 in Region 10, into Wednesday's 7 p.m. home contest against Fayetteville Tech (6-4, 6-4).
The No. 17 ranked Hurricanes dropped to 11-4 overall and 11-3 in the conference as the Flyers snapped their seven-game winning streak.
Neither team was sharp at the start until a three by Dharyus Thomas ignited a 9-2 run that gave the Flyers a 19-11 lead.
With just under six minutes remaining until the intermission, a deep three by Nathan Yow gave the Flyers their biggest lead of the game at 36-20. Later, the first of several Hurricane comebacks cut the margin to six points before Miller's fourth dunk of the half, from Nasir Johnson, and then a jumper by Johnson, gave them a 51-43 lead at the break.
The Flyers built the margin back to 15 points on a floater for two by Johnson with 13 minutes remaining in the game. But led by Malik Bryant, the second leading scorer in Division II, and the first two of Rajah Milton's five second-half treys, the Hurricanes rallied to tie the game at 81-81 with 7:56 remaining in the game.
"We get too complacent sometimes with the lead and let the other team come back on us," Apple said. "It happened several times tonight.
"I think my guys are playing very hard. These games are pretty intense and guys get tired."
Limited in playing time because of foul problems, starting point guard Corry Addison returned to the floor. The Flyers responded with an 8-0 run that culminated in a dunk in transition by Thomas. But again, with Bryant and Milton leading the way, the Hurricanes closed to within 94-93 with 2:09 remaining.
Finally, baskets by Savion Staton and Keegan Brayboy, a charge taken by Quiller, and the clutch free throw shooting by Brayboy, Addison and Staton shut the door. Two threes in the final 20 seconds by Milton provided the home team with a faint glimmer of hope before time expired.
Brayboy contributed 14 points, five rebounds and three assists. Staton added eight points to go with a team-high eight assists and three steals. Overall the Flyers made 56.8 per cent of their shots from the field.
"I thought Nathan Yow and Nasir Johnson did a good job playing the point position with Addison in the foul situation," Apple said. "I think that contributed to our win tonight."
The Flyers' coach is not taking a Fayetteville Tech team that lost to Central Carolina CC 94-91 on Monday lightly. A busy next six days continues with a home game against No. 2 ranked Davidson-Davie CC at home on Saturday followed by a trip to Guilford Tech on Sunday.
"We're going to worry about Fayetteville Tech starting early tomorrow morning," Apple said.
Bryant, who came in averaging 24.4 points per game, led the Hurricanes with 29 points followed by Milton with 26.
Sandhills CC – Staton 2 4-6 8, Addison 0 4-5 4, Brayboy 6 2-2 14, Miller 12 1-3 25, Quiller 10 2-2 22, Johnson 4 0-0 8, Yow 1 3-4 6, Thomas 3 0-0 7, Zachary 3 4-6 10, Murr 0 0-0 0, Sledge 1 0-0 2, Murphy 0 0-0 0 Totals 42 20-29 106. Louisburg – Powell 2 0-0 4, Sanders 5 2-2 12, Barrino 2 2-4 6, Bryant 12 5-6 29, Stephens 2 5-5 11, Bradley 2 0-0 4, Milton 8 4-4 26, Harris 2 0-0 4, Cash 1 2-2 4, White 0 0-0 0, Giebel 0 0-0 0 Totals 36 20-23 100. Three-point goals: SCC 2 (Thomas, Yow); LC 8 (Milton 6, Stephens 2).
C. Bergmann