TIMELY FREE THROWS KEY STATESMEN IN 84-82 VICTORY OVER ESSEX C.C.

NEWARK, NJ (Nov. 6, 2015) — In dramatic fashion, the Richard Bland College men's basketball team erased a late 12-point deficit and got several key free throws down the stretch to defeat host Essex County College, 84-82, in the opening round of the Essex County College Wolverine Classic on Friday evening.  

The victory improves the Statesmen to 3-0 on the season. Essex drops its season opener. Richard Bland will play Harcum (PA) College, which defeated New York-based Globe Institute of Technology, in Saturday's final at 5:00 p.m. 

The final minute of the contest was a frenetic finish to an up and down game that saw Richard Bland surge back from behind for the second straight contest. The Statesmen, who were down 72-60 with ten minutes to play, went ahead 78-76 on two free throws by freshman Jordan Griggs (Woodbridge, VA/Christ Chapel Academy) with 3:10 to play. The game was knotted at 78-all and 80-all with under a minute to play.

With 44 seconds left, Griggs was fouled on a 3-point shot. He connected on 2-of-3 attempts to put RBC ahead 82-80. Essex connected on 1-of-2 free throws to close within 82-81. On RBC's next possession, freshman forward Karol Kott (Przypki, Poland/New Hope Christian Academy) was fouled and he made 1-of-2 free throws for an 83-81 Statesmen lead. The Wolverines then had their game tying shot blocked by freshman Jaquan Wooten (Goldsboro, NC/South Lenoir) but Essex was able to draw within 83-82 following a single free throw with 20 seconds remaining. Forced to foul, Essex chose RBC freshman Deandre Clark (Orange County, VA/Wakefield Private School) who connected on the all-important first free throw for an 84-82 RBC lead. 

In the second half, Richard Bland was buoyed by timely free throw shooting (14 of 21) and increased defensive pressure that forced Essex into turnovers and got the Statesmen back into the game. 

Trailing 39-38 at halftime, the Wolverines went on a 9-0 run to start the second half to build a 47-39 lead, one that would increase to 12 points, 72-60, with 10 minutes remaining in the game.  

Ignited by the hot outing shooting of Griggs, who had three 3-pointers and 15 points in the second half along with Kott, who connected on a pair of 3-pointers, the Statesmen went on a 24-10 run over the final 10 minutes of the game.  

The Statesmen went on a 15-7 run to start the game and bolstered by balanced scoring from freshman Myles Markland (Chesterfield, VA/Matoaca) with 9 points, Griggs (9 points) and sophomore captain Troy Gibson (Newport News, VA/Heritage) with 8 points, RBC led 39-38 at halftime. 

Griggs led Richard Bland in scoring with 22 points. Clark had 10 points and Markland had 10. Lott had a team-best 6 rebounds.