Flyers Rally Falls Short in Season Opener at Richard Bland

The Sandhills Community College men's basketball team opened the 2025–26 season on the road Saturday afternoon, falling 94–87 to Richard Bland College.

The sixth-ranked Flyers trailed 36–31 at halftime but came alive offensively in the second half, scoring 56 points before ultimately coming up short.

Sophomore Zack Noel led the way with a dominant 23-point, 17-rebound performance on 11-of-13 shooting. Titus Cunningham added 12 points and 5 rebounds, while Isaiah Upchurch scored 9 points, going 6-for-8 from the free throw line. Kendall Smith also contributed 9 points and 2 assists, and Randy Dockery and Nylikk Troutman each finished with 8 points.

Sandhills shot 50% from the field and 42.1% from three-point range, while outrebounding the Statesmen 34–21, but turnovers proved costly as the Flyers committed 21 on the afternoon.

Sandhills (0–1) continues its road swing Wednesday night at Guilford Tech with tip-off at 7 p.m., before returning home Saturday for a 3 p.m. matchup against No. 8 Northern Essex Community College.