GIBSON POWERS STATESMEN TO 76-60 VICTORY OVER GUILFORD TECH

PETERSBURG, Va., (Dec. 12, 2015) – Playing at home for only the third time this season, the Richard Bland College men's basketball team held off a late first half rally by visiting Guilford Technical Community College and then turned on the offensive firepower in the second half to register a 76-60 Region X Conference victory on Saturday afternoon at Statesman Hall.

The Statesmen held a couple of seven points leads in the first half and appeared prime to cruise into an easy victory, but the Titans were able to tie the contest at 23-23 and if not for a late Richard Bland defensive stand, which held Guilford scoreless for the last five minutes of the half, the 33-25 halftime lead would have been markedly different.

The opening five minutes of the second half swayed the game. The Statesmen got six of their first eight points from freshman guard Gevon Arrington (Petersburg, VA/Petersburg), to build a quick 41-25 lead. With 13 minutes remaining , the lead swelled to 53-32 on a deep 3-pointer from freshman forward Karol Kott (Przypki, Poland/New Hope Christian Academy), who had all of his 10 points in the second half.

The victory evens Richard Bland's record to 6-6, 2-2. Guilford drops to 5-7, 0-2. The Statesmen return to action on Sunday, hosting Wake Technical Community College at 3 p.m. The game is FCA/Church Appreciation Day. Area residents who show a church flyer are admitted free. Guilford hosts the Elite Academy on Dec. 14 at 7:00 p.m.

"We played together and adapted to changing defenses," said Richard Bland head coach Chuck Moore. "I am pleased with the victory, and this is one more step in a process of improving our team every game."

After allowing Guilford to creep back into the game in the first half, the Statesmen stepped up their defensive pressure, playing full court for most of the second half, and employing tough stops that forced Guilford into a slew of difficult shots. Richard Bland held a 51-27 rebounding advantage, led by nine from freshman center Jaquan Wooten (Goldsboro, NC/South Lenoir) with nine.

Guilford didn't have an answer for Richard Bland sophomore forward Troy Gibson (Newport News, VA/Heritage), who finished with 21 points on 10 of 16 shooting from the field. It was the eleventh time in twelve games that Gibson has scored in double figures this season. Gibson was consistent in both halves and most emphatic in the second half, when opted for a crowd-pleasing dunk off a fast break and took his offensive game to the basket for hard earned layups.

"We're a young team, but today Troy showed his leadership," said Moore. "He made some big game moves and asserted his role as our sophomore captain."

Arrington finished with 13 points and seven rebounds and sophomore forward Devin Smith (Baltimore, MD/Randallstown) had 10 points.

Guilford got 50 of its 60 points from five players, led by sophomore guard Kaleel Watson with 17 points. Guard Carmoni Marks led all rebounders with 12, all coming off the defensive backcourt.