The Sandhills Flyers were defeated 85-73 Thursday evening by Louisburg College in a basketball game played at The O’Neal School gym.

The Flyers trailed 42-30 at halftime after allowing the Hurricanes too many second chance and transition baskets. They cut as much as a 16-point deficit in the second half to seven several times before the visitors sewed it up by converting 11 of 14 free throws in the final 2:30 of the game.

Markell Lotharp led the Flyers, now 15-3, with 25 points. Also in double figures were T.J. Jones with 14 and Raheem Washington with 12. Josh Hicks scored 18 points and Antonio Robinson had 17 for the 10-3 Hurricanes.

The No. 8 in Division III Flyers have been beaten twice this season by the No. 6 in Division II Canes. They open Region X conference play on Saturday at 3 p.m. against Caldwell Community College in Hudson.