BIG SECOND HALF PUSHES STATESMEN PAST GUILFORD TECH, 90-68

JAMESTOWN, N.C. (Jan. 30, 2016) — Behind 20 points each from its sophomore forwards Troy Gibson (Newport News, VA/Heritage) and Devin Smith (Baltimore, MD/Randallstown), the Richard Bland College men's basketball team cruised to a 90-68 Region X Conference victory over Guilford Tech on Saturday afternoon.

The game was close at half time, with Richard Bland holding a 45-40 lead. Although the host Titans came out of intermission with a purpose, taking a two-point lead within the first three minutes, the Statesmen went on a 12-0 run, fostered by the return of freshman forward Harrison Mitchell (Hampton, VA/Phoebus), who hadn't played due to injury since Dec. 5, to blow the game open. With Mitchell, Gibson, Smith and sophomore guard Gerard Dean-McBride (Richmond, VA/ John Marshall) igniting the attack, Richard Bland ratcheted up its defensive pressure, leading the several Guilford Tech turnovers and missed field goals. 

With the win, the Statesmen improve to 10-10, 6-4 in Region X, and sweep the season series against the Titans. Guilford Tech drops to 6-14, 1-8. Richard Bland has a quick turnaround, hosting Lenoir C.C. at Statesman Hall on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Guilford Tech next hosts Vance-Granville on Feb. 1 at 3 p.m.  

Gibson, who tallied 21 points in his previous game against the Titans, led RBC with 20 points, 7 rebounds and three assists. Smith added 20 points and freshman forward Eric Washington (Fredericksburg, VA/Colonial Forge) chipped in with a season best 11 points and three rebounds. Richmond-native McBride had 7 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists, the second consecutive game securing double digits in that category.