STATESMEN FIGHT BACK, WIN 2OT THRILLER TO ADVANCE TO NJCAA CHAMPIONSHIP

DANVILLE, ILL., - For the first time the Richard Bland College men's basketball team appeared doomed occurred throughout the first half and minutes into the second half, when they trailed by 13 points and sophomore Brian Adkins was called for the team's second technical foul. The Statesmen bonded together to produce a stirring 87-85 double overtime victory over No. 2 seed Phoenix on Friday night in the National Junior College Athletic Association Final Four at Mary Miller Gymnasium.

No. 3 Richard Bland will face the winner of Des Moines Area Community College vs. John Wood Community College on Saturday for a tip at 8:30 p.m.

Sophomore and Silver Springs, Md., native Avery Ugba scored 26 points and pulled down 17 rebounds to lead Richard Bland (31-4). The Statesmen saw their win-streak of eight games extend to nine victories in the tournament's final four game. Armstrong High School product Tavon Mealy charted 14 points while grabbing six rebounds and Virginia Beach, Va., native LeQuan Thomas added 13 points, grabbing seven rebounds, dishing out four assist and collecting four steals.

Phoenix established an early led after Travis Meeker knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Bears a 5-2 advantage. Mealy would score a good bucket to cut the deficit to 9-8 following the next two possessions.

The game became chippy midway through the first half as a double technical foul was called on Mealy and Phoenix's Deion Hooks. RBC would go on a brief 5-0 run until Brandon Brown stopped the run with a good bucket at the 3:30 mark. From there, the Bears would connect from behind the arc to extend its lead to nine points shortly after.

Baskets would exchange including a coast-to-coast layup from Steven Green put the Bears back up eight points but four free-throws by the Statesmen brought the deficit down to 30-26 at intermission.

The Statesmen would not get off to a good start as the second half got underway, allowing Phoenix to stretch its lead to 41-28 with 17:30 left in the game. However, like all season long when the Statesmen became down in the second half, they managed to fight its way back in the game after back-to-back baskets to cut the Bears lead to eight.

Eventually, RBC would get within three after Ugba nailed a 3-point basket following a high floater from Thomas to make it a one point game.

The Statesmen scored 11 unanswered points until Phoenix scored but RBC would take its first lead of the night with a one point advantage.  After multiple baskets exchanged, a huge 3-pointer by Russ Davis put the Bears down by one with a under a minute left in regulation.

The next possession, RBC became forced into a jump ball and the arrow possession favored Phoenix who would play for the final shot with 26 seconds on the clock. The Bears found an open Troy Conley in the corner who hit with under ten seconds left, putting the Bears up70-68. However, the Statesmen got the ball up the court quickly and Pedro Berrios penetrated and dished to Mealy who was able to finish for a tie sending the game into overtime, 70-70.

Overtime started with no points in the first minutes, Reginald Moses and Brandon Brown collided at mid-court which left Moses down on the floor in agony, he would be walked off the court.

Missed opportunities for the next three minutes left both teams tied at 71 which would lead to double overtime.

Ugba would get things going to start the double overtime with a put back layup, marking the first field goal of either team in overtime. Phoenix would answer back with a 3-pointer to take the lead but Ugba pulled the trigger quickly on the other end from deep range and nailed his own three-ball.

Both teams exchanged basket for basket, with the lead changing nine times until the game became tied at 83 even when Brown faked a left-hand floater, spun around and hit a jump shot.

On the other end, Cosby High School product Evan Bates who only scored one time the entire game, was found open as two Bears closed out on him, he swished a three through the net to take the lead. Following a missed three by Davis, Phoenix would get a second chance and slam dunk to get within one point.

With 17.9 seconds remaining in the game, Ugba found himself at the line to sink one-of-two to give the Statesmen an 87-85 lead. Phoenix would scramble and fumble in their next and final possession as they were forced to throw up wild shot that went out of bounds and RBC found themselves running across court yelling with a final score of 87-85 to advance to the championship game.

There will be a RBC Watch Party on the campus of Richard Bland College in the Student Commons beginning at 8:30 p.m. It is open to the public, light refreshments will be provided.

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

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