BASKETBALL OPENS SEASON WITH STRONG 81-59 VICTORY OVER FREDERICK C.C.

PETERSBURG, Va., (Oct. 30, 2015) – It was a good sign when local Petersburg High School product Gevon Arrington (Richmond, VA/Petersburg) started the game – and his collegiate career at Richard Bland College – by draining a 3-pointer from the far right corner. It spearheaded the defending NJCAA Division II National Champion Statesman to an impressive 81-59 victory over Frederick Community College on Friday night in the season opener at Statesman Hall. 

It was the third straight home opening victory for head coach Chuck Moore, who also won his 60th game as head coach of the Statesmen.

Richard Bland was in control for all but 2:30 of the contest. The visiting Cougars took a scant 6-5 lead at the 17:30 mark in the first half and then Richard Bland scored the next 10 straight points to build a 15-6 lead that they never relinquished. While the Statesmen filled the scoreboard with 81 points, it was their defensive pressure in the first half, limiting Frederick 29 percent shooting on 4 of 14 from the floor that swung the game in their favor. Conversely, the Statesmen shot 45 percent in the opening stanza to build a 39-21 lead at halftime.  

The victory was Richard Bland's 11^th straight win dating back to last season. The Statesmen next play on Sunday, Nov. 1 at CCBC Dundalk at 3 p.m. Frederick next hosts Delaware Tech on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m.   

"It was good for all of our freshman to get some game experience," said Moore. "Overall it was a good game. We adjusted in the second half when we had to go to a different lineup due to foul trouble. We showed resiliency and toughness."  

The Statesmen used their depth and fresh legs, playing 11 players (four of whom scored in double figures), to swarm Frederick and pester the Courgars into 16 turnovers, which resulted in 14 points. Local Petersburg product, freshman guard Miles Markland (Petersburg, VA/Matoaca), led Richard Bland in scoring with 15 points on 4 of 7 shooting from the field. Lone returning player Troy Gibson (Newport News, VA/Heritage) had 14 points.  

Two late Gibson free throws helped Richard Bland maintain a double-digit lead (30-18) and head into halftime with a comfortable 39-21 advantage. 

Gibson was the catalyst of a second half surge that saw the Statesmen build a 57-38 lead with 9:42 to play following a twisting layup.  

Frederick was held to just 39 percent shooting from the floor, but got a 12-point performance from Erick Blankson and 11 points from Morris Robinson.