STATESMEN TO FACE CALDWELL C.C. IN REGION X BLASTOFF

PETERSBURG, Va., (Nov. 20, 2015) – One more road game stands in the way of the Richard Bland College men's basketball team returning to Statesman Hall for only the second time this season. The seventh straight road contest happens on Saturday, Nov. 21, when the Statesmen face Caldwell Community College at the Region X Blastoff at Sandhills, N.C.

The Region X Blastoff is a three-day showcase of all the teams that comprise the conference.

The Statesmen (4-3) are coming off a workmanlike 75-60 victory over Lenoir Community College on Wednesday evening. Petersburg native Gevon Arrington led Richard Bland with 20 points and 10 rebounds, both season highs for the talented freshman guard. Sophomore forward Troy Gibson added 15 points (his fourth straight game scoring in double figures) and freshman guard Deandre Clark continued his consistent play with 13 boards. Freshman center Jaquan Wooten, one of the top rebounders in NJCAA Division II, had 14 boards against Lenoir.

LAST SEASON VS. CALDWELL: Richard Bland defeated Caldwell 72-69 in the Region X Blastoff on Nov. 15.  

WHAT'S NEXT: Following tonight's game, Richard Bland will return home for the first time since Oct. 30, hosting Vance-Granville Community College at 7 p.m. The game is the second annual Military Appreciation Night on campus. All members of the military and their family are admitted to the contest free of charge.

A WINNING RESUME: Just seven games into his third season at Richard Bland, head coach Chuck Moore has compiled a 63-12 (.840) record … He earned win No. 60 in the season opener against Frederick Community College (81-59).

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Two Statesmen players, sophomore forward Troy Gibson and freshman guard Deandre Clark, are scoring in double figures … Gibson is averaging 15.3 ppg and Clark is averaging 12.7 rpg.

SOPHOMORE LEADERSHIP: Gibson, the lone returner from last year's championship team, has scored in double figures in six of seven games this season, including a career-best 25 points against Harcum College. If not for a 9-point game against Essex, Gibson would be a perfect 7 for 7 scoring in double digits.

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDS: A surging Wooten has taken over the team lead in rebounding, averaging 10 rebounds a game … The freshman has had double figures in rebounding in five of seven games, including 47 boards in his last four games (11.8 rpg).

NUMBER ONE IN DEFENSIVE BOARDS: Wooten has grabbed 57 defensive rebounds this season, which ranks first in NJCAA Division II.

MR. CONSISTENCY: With an average of 7.4 rebounds per game, Gibson is second on the team in rebounding … He has had 10 or more rebounds in three games this season and had nine against Lenoir on Wednesday evening … He boasts a career-best 12 boards against Harcum … RBC had a season best nine blocks against Harcum.

SHOCK BLOCKERS: With an average of 5.7 blocks per game, RBC ranks 7th best in the country in NJCAA Division II.

LEADER OF THE BLOCK:, Wooten, who was named the RBC Student-Athlete of the Week on Monday, leads the Statesmen in blocks, averaging 2.7 per game and with 20 on the season ranks sixth in NJCAA Division II.

VIRGINIA STRONG: Ten of the players on the RBC roster hail from Virginia.

OVERSEAS INFLUENCE: Two freshmen Statesmen players have traveled thousands of miles to play in Petersburg … Karol Kott hails from Przypki Poland and Nikola Lakic comes from Belgrade, Serbia.