No. 14 Richard Bland Wins At Region X Opponent Pitt (N.C.) CC 80-57

WINTERVILLE, N.C. -- Sophomore Gevon Arrington/Petersburg scored a game-high 20 points to lead No. 14 Richard Bland College to an 80-57 Region X Conference men's basketball road victory at Pitt (N.C.) Community College Wednesday night in Winterville, North Carolina. Sophomore Myles Markland/Petersburg added 11 points off the bench for the visiting Statesmen (8-2, 2-0 Region X), who won their fourth-straight game, against the host Bulldogs (2-3, 0-2 Region X).

Richard Bland, ranked 14th in the NJCAA Division II Preseason Poll, jumped out to a commanding 40-21 lead at halftime behind 11 first-half points from Arrington. Markland added eight points during the opening 20 minutes, while freshman Deon Joyner/North Charleston, South Carolina scored seven first-half points, off the bench, as well. The Statesmen maintained their advantage during the final 20 minutes, outscoring Pitt CC 40-36 behind nine second-half points from Arrington, while sophomore Jaquan Wooten/Kinston, North Carolina and freshman Robert Smith/Hampton added seven points and six points, respectively, after the break.

Arrington led Richard Bland with his game-high 20 points, including two three-point field goals. Markland added 11 points with two three-pointers for the Statesmen, while Wooten, Joyner and Smith each contributed nine points to the victory away from home.

Richard Bland was playing Pitt CC for the seventh time in the sport of men's basketball, and the Statesmen now lead the series, 5-2.

Richard Bland will return home to host Region X member Catawba Valley (N.C.) Community College on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. at Statesman Hall. The contest has been designated FCA Appreciation Day while sponsoring a Canned Food Drive to benefit The Hope Center in Petersburg. It's free admission for everyone; however, all fans are asked to please bring a canned food, dry goods or peanut butter to the game that is also recognizing the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) organization that serves 26 area high schools.