Sports weekend wrap-up
Photo by Keith Birdwell
For the men and women's soccer teams, their seasons are coming to a close in the playoffs, but for the men and women's basketball teams the season is just getting started and they are both undefeated.
The Lady Flames soccer team began their postseason run on Wednesday November 19 with an NCCAA Mid-East Regional Championship win over conference rival Campbellsville University. Sophomore Kinsey Cichowitz had one goal and one assist to help the Lady Flames secure a spot in the NCCAA National Tournament.
Monday, Dec. 1 the Lady Flames soccer team will travel to Kissimmee, Florida for a chance to win the NCCAA National Championship.
The Flames soccer got the weekend going with a road match in Mississippi on Friday, Nov. 21. Friday's match for the Flames men's soccer team was a semifinal of the NCCAA Mid-East Region tournament that was hosted by Mississippi College. Senior Joey Hinshaw had four saves for the Flames in a game that was tied 0-0 until the 79th minute. After Bluefield College went up 1-0 the Flames were caught too far forward and Bluefield added another with just four seconds left to win 2-0.
With a 2-0 loss against Bluefield College'of Virginia, the Flames thought their season had come to an end. They received an at-large bid for the NCCAA National Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida and their first game is Tuesday, Dec. 2.
The Flames basketball teams had a doubleheader in Cleveland on Thursday, Nov. 20.
The men's team beat Tennessee Temple 105-74. The Flames' sophomore Chase Cullen had a game high 20 points going 83% from the field. Senior Corey Billingsley added 17 points as the Flames kept their undefeated season alive. The Flames are 4-0 and they take on Milligan College Nov. 24 at 7 at home in the Paul Dana Walker Arena.
The Lady Flames also kept their winning streak alive on Thursday with a win over Tennessee Temple 80-64. Freshman Emileigh Swafford had a game high 26 points and the Lady Flames were helped with 11 steals compared to Tennessee Temple's two.
The Lady Flames continued their undefeated season against the visiting Brescia Bearcats of Kentucky with a 70-54 home victory The Lady Flames entered halftime trailing the Bearcats 28-27, shooting only 30% from the field and committing 14 turnovers in the first half.
The Flames attack and second half comeback was led by two freshman Erin Walsh and Emileigh Swafford. Walsh had 11 second half points on her way to a game high 19 points. Swafford posted a double-double that included 12 points and 13 rebounds to help the Lady Flames secure their fourth victory of the season.
After a short rest for the Thanksgiving holidays the Lady Flames pick back up with their season. The next game will be at home against Christian Brothers University on Thursday, Dec. 4.
