ARRINGTON PACES STATESMEN IN LOSS AGAINST STRONG CHIPOLA TEAM

NICEVILLE, FL (Nov. 14, 2015) — Florida-based Chipola College broke free from a tight 41-35 halftime lead over the Richard Bland College men's basketball team to register an 80-63 victory over the Statesmen in the final day of play at the Bruce Stewart Classic hosted by Northwest Florida State College on Saturday afternoon in Niceville, FL.

Led by Petersburg native Gevon Arrington (Petersburg, VA/Petersburg) who scored 13 of his team-leading 17 points in the first half, the Statesmen hung tough with the perennial NJCAA Division I powerhouse Indians. Richard Bland was able to close within four points early in the second half, but the Chipola experience led the Indians to a double-digit lead the majority of the second half.

The loss drops Richard Bland to 3-3 on the season. Chipola improves to 4-2. The Statesmen will be back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 18 with a road contest against Lenoir C.C. at 7 p.m. Chipola next hosts South Georgia Technical College on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.

"We played two very talented and well coached teams this weekend," said head coach Chuck Moore. "Our inexperience showed dramatically at some points but at the end of the day we competed and got better, which is what I ask for every day. Florida is known for its NJCAA basketball and people now know about Richard Bland College basketball."

Arrington led Richard Bland with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Fellow freshman Jordan Griggs (Woodbridge, VA/Christ Chapel Academy) added 11 points and sophomore Troy Gibson (Newport News, VA/Heritage), finished with 10 points and 4 rebounds.