STATESMEN FALL IN CLOSE GAME TO NO. 7 PATRICK HENRY, 68-64

MARTINSVILLE, Va., (Feb. 17, 2016) — The Richard Bland College men's basketball team pushed No. 7 nationally-ranked Patrick Henry Community College to the brink of defeat Wednesday night, suffering a hard-fought 68-64 loss in Region X Conference play. 

The Statesmen forged back from a 61-49 deficit with under five minutes to play and were within one possession from tying the contest at 65-65 with 16.2 seconds to play when a 3-point attempt went astray. Not deterred, however, Richard Bland was within two points, 66-64 with 6.8 seconds remaining after a layup by sophomore guard Gerard Dean-McBride. On the ensuing change of possession, RBC was forced to foul the host Patriots, who scored the game's final two points from the free throw line.  

Richard Bland drops to 14-14, 8-8 on the season. Patrick Henry improves to 18-5, 11-4. The Statesmen will next travel to Wake Technical Community College for a 3 p.m. conference game on Saturday. Patrick Henry next hosts Bryant & Stratton on Saturday at 3 p.m.

The Statesmen came out of the gates on fire, and led by the 3-point sharpshooting of sophomore guard Reginald Moses, took a 38-27 lead into halftime. RBC's defense harassed Patrick Henry into a multitude of turnovers, which resulted in transition baskets. At the half, Moses had 11 points, and was followed by Petersburg's Gevon Arrington with 8 points and Deandre Clark with 8.

Following intermission, Patrick Henry went on a 15-5 run to build a 53-45 lead with 9:46 remaining and led 58-47 with 6:49 left. With just under five minutes remaining, the Patriots led 61-49 before Richard Bland mounted its comeback. A basket by Arrington and a 3-pointer by Moses closed the gap to 63-56 and when freshman forward Karol Kott drained a 3-pointer with 1:22 left, Richard Bland drew within 63-59. A single free throw by Arrington with 54 seconds to play drew RBC within 63-60. 

Patrick Henry converted on its next possession and Richard Bland answered with a bucket from Moses to come within 65-62 with 16.6 seconds left. Though unable to convert on its 3-pointer that would have tied the contest, the McBride layup tightened the contest, 66-64 with 6.6 seconds remaining. Patrick Henry was able to ice the game with its two late free throws.

Moses finished with 17 points for the Statesmen. Sophomore forward Devin Smith chipped in with 10 points and McBride added eight. 

Paris Jamison led Patrick Henry with 17 points. Ta'vion Petty added 13 points.