STATESMEN RALLY PAST MCC-PENN VALLEY, 87-76, FOR NJCAA FIRST ROUND TRIUMPH

DANVILLE, ILL. – In its first ever appearance in the National Junior College Athletics Association Division II Championship, the Richard Bland College men's basketball team clinched a 87-76 decision over the Scouts of Metropolitan Community College of Penn Valley on Tuesday afternoon.

After giving up a 16-point lead in the first half and trailing by three with 7:06 remaining in the game, the Statesmen decided they weren't quite ready to let the game slip away.

Third-seeded Richard Bland (29-4) mounted a ferocious rally down the stretch to defeat the Scouts (9-23), inside Mary Miller Gymnasium to advance into Wednesday's, Quarterfinals game at 9 p.m. (ET) vs. the winner of Essex County College (N.J) and Garrett College (Md.) who play on Tuesday, at 3 p.m., also at Mary Miller Gymnasium.

The Scouts will move into the consolation bracket vs. the loser of Game 4 (Essex County vs. Garrett College) for a 10 a.m. (ET) tip-off.

RBC shot 51 percent from the field, grabbing 45 rebounds and three blocks on the day. Six Statesmen scored in double-figures, led by Silver Springs, Md., native Avery Ugba with 21 points and game-high 18 rebounds.

Armstrong High School product, Tavon Mealy added 15 points with six rebounds while Henrico, Va., native Reginald Moses, Melvin Gregory (Lancaster), Troy Gibson (Heritage) and Brian Adkins (Aberdeen, Md.) all chipped in 10 points each.

The game started at a good pace in favor of the Statesmen after Ugba flushed a putback dunk on the opening possession of the game. Both teams would exchange baskets throughout the first five minutes of play until RBC went on a 20-7 run, stretching its lead to 27-12.

Penn Valley would close the gap at the 4:00 mark of the first half to make it a seven point lead at the break with RBC leading, 44-37.

After leading at halftime, the Scouts would cut the Statesmen deficit again and tie the game at 69 all at the 5:52 mark. The Statesmen started its comeback with consistent play from both Ugba and Gregory down low to put RBC back up and from there the Statesmen never looked back to secure the 87-76 victory.

Julius McCoy added 27 points, DanyJoel Harris 20, and both Amaad Wainright and Cornell Duley chipped in nine points in the loss.

For more information on RBC men's basketball, please visit www.rbcathletics.com.

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