RBC HOOPS ADVANCES TO NJCAA FINAL FOUR AFTER VICTORY OVER GARRETT, 96-77

DANVILLE, ILL. – Richard Bland came up with big shots and stops to survive Garrett College's upset bid and advances to the National Junior College Athletic Association Final Four after defeating the Lakers, 96-77 on Wednesday night in Mary Miller Gymnasium.

Silver Springs, Md., native Avery Ugba scored 18 points and collected 11 rebounds to lead the Statesmen, while Henrico, Va., native Reginald Moses, LeQuan Thomas (Green Run), and Armstrong High product Tavon Mealy all scored 15 each

Richard Bland (30-4) opened up the game with a 10-point lead 25-15 but the Lakers (25-7) kept the game close as they got within five at the 6:14 mark, 28-25.

The Lakers would cut the Statesmen lead to 30-28 with 3:30 left in the first half. Resilience would help the Statesmen build its lead back up despite foul discrepancy which favored Garrett, 11-3.

Hopewell High School product Pedro Berrios would drain a 3-pointer as times ran off the clock to extend the Statesmen lead, 40-32 at intermission.

RBC picked up where they left off in the second half after Mealy scored a layup in the first possession. The Statesmen would hold the lead for over four minutes until Culbreath scored an and-1 layup to help the Lakers get within two points, 50-48.

The momentum shifted between both team as they exchanged baskets until the Lakers would tie the ball game at 52 even with 13:07 remaining in the game.

Stellar defense by LeQuan Thomas (Green Run) elevated the Statesmen after he got a steal and flushed a one-hander home.

The Statesmen continued to increase the momentum slowly but surely as they saw its lead climb back up to 10 points with 3:33 left in regulation.

RBC would drain four of its last five 3-pointers to lead 88-72. The Lakers tried to make another run but ultimately it would be too late as Ugba threw home a thundering slam dunk to seal the victory.

DeAndre Davis finished with 27 points while Culbreath finished with 26 and Chris Scarlett added 11 in the loss.

Richard Bland will advance to play Phoenix College on Friday, March 20. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. (ET). Garrett College falls into the loser bracket to face Lakeland Community College in a consolation game on Thursday, March 19 at 4 p.m. (ET).

For more information on RBC basketball, visit rbcathletics.com.

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