No. 5 Richard Bland Rolls Past Visiting Lenoir (N.C.) CC 71-48

GAME HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Sophomore Deandre Clark/Orange scored a game-high 14 points to lead No. 5 Richard Bland College to a 71-48 Region 10 Conference men's basketball victory past Lenoir (N.C.) Community College on Wednesday night at Statesman Hall.  Freshman Brandon Henry/Chester added 11 points for the host and nationally-ranked Statesmen (19-3, 12-1), who led 35-26 at halftime en route to their sixth-straight win and 15^th win in the last 16 games.  Dre'Jon Boley scored eight points for the visiting Lancers (6-15, 3-9). 

Richard Bland, unbeaten at home this season (8-0), fell behind 4-0 early before taking the lead for good at 10-9 with 14:36 on the first-half clock.  Sophomore Gevon Arrington/Petersburg scored four quick points, while Clark, sophomore Jaquan Wooten/Kinston, North Carolina and freshman Ricky Hicks/Bronx, New York each added baskets, as well.  A dunk by Wooten made it 13-9 at 12:13, while a layup by Henry made it 20-12 at 8:56.  A layup by freshman Tim Bing Jr./District Heights, Maryland had the Statesmen ahead 30-22 at 4:01, and the margin was nine points (35-26) at the intermission after a late layup by sophomore Myles Markland/Petersburg.  Clark (7) and Wooten (6) led the first-half scoring for the hosts.

Richard Bland continued its momentum in the second half, getting another dunk from Wooten at 17:21 for a 40-28 advantage.  Clark's layup at 11:48 made it 47-32, and a pair of free throws from Henry at 9:26 made it 51-33.  Sophomore Harrison Mitchell/Hampton scored inside with 6:21 remaining for a 57-36 lead, while Arrington added another layup at 4:05 for a 62-40 margin.  Freshman Robert Smith/Hampton connected on a three-point field goal at 2:24 for a 67-44 lead, and Hicks closed-out the scoring with a layup at 0:23.

Clark led Richard Bland with his game-high 14 points, adding six rebounds and two steals.  Henry added 11 points and four rebounds for the Statesmen.  Wooten and Smith each finished with eight points, with Wooten adding seven rebounds and two blocks.  Arrington, Mitchell, Markland and Bing each had six points for the balanced attack, with Arrington adding a game-high eight rebounds along with four assists and two steals.  Hicks had a game-high five assists, while Markland and Bing each had a game-high three steals.  Richard Bland shot 40% (29-72) from the field, including 11% (2-18) on three-pointers, and 55% (11-20) at the free throw line.  The Statesmen enjoyed a 52-16 advantage in points scored in the paint, and a 30-13 margin in points scored off of turnovers – forcing 23 miscues by the Lancers.

Boley led Lenoir with his eight points, adding six rebounds.  The Lancers shot 34% (17-50) from the field, including 33% (7-21) on three-pointers, and 54% (7-13) at the line.

Richard Bland and Lenoir were playing for the 11^th time in the sport of men's basketball, and the Statesmen have never lost to the Lancers, leading the series 11-0.

Richard Bland will play a Region 10 road game at Catawba Valley (N.C.) Community College this Saturday, Feb. 4 at 3 p.m. in Hickory, North Carolina.  The Statesmen return home to welcome region rival and nationally-ranked No. 8 Louisburg (N.C.) College next Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in Statesman Hall.  That game has been designated as the school's annual Black Out Game, along with it being Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Night, as well as Richard Bland College Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night.