Sophomores honored, Eagles lose close contest against Southwest Virginia

RALEIGH, NC – Wake Tech Women's Basketball lost a close contest against Southwest Virginia on Saturday afternoon, with the game coming down to the final possession. The Flying Eagles from Cedar Bluff, Virginia walked away with a 64-63 win. It was also Sophomore Day for Wake Tech, who were playing their final regular season home game. Before tipoff, the following players were recognized: Yasmonasia Boone, Eliana Dinakaran, Brooklyn Ragland, Aquarius Pettaway, and Leslie Trejo-Zuniga.

Pettaway finished as the Eagles' leading scorer (17) as she so often has this season. Ragland added 16 and finished one point shy of tying her career-high (17).

Wake Tech led by nine at the end of the first quarter, a buzzer-beating three from freshman Destiny Mason made it 20-11. But it was all Southwest Virginia in the second quarter, they outscored the Eagles 22-11 going into the break to make it 33-31.

Both teams made adjustments in the second half and the game remained close throughout. Southwest Virginia took their final lead of the game with 1:23 remaining in the fourth quarter when guard Larae Grove went 2-for-2 from the line, giving them a 64-62 lead. Pettaway got to the free throw line moments later for the Eagles with a chance to tie it but was only able to convert on one attempt. The Flying Eagles were able to retain possession for most of the final minute but Wake Tech did get one more possession in the last seconds. They were unable to bring the ball up for one last shot.

Wake Tech will conclude the regular season with four straight games on the road. They will first head to South Prince George, VA for a rematch against the Richard Bland Statesmen, who they beat 64-55 earlier this season.

Although this was the final regular season game at the South Campus Gym, it is possible that the Eagles will host a first-round game in the NJCAA Region 10 Division II Tournament. The teams finishing from fourth to eighth place in the standings will host in the first round, while the top three teams will receive byes into the quarterfinals. Wake Tech is currently in sixth place.