No. 9 Richard Bland Rallies Past Visiting Wake Tech (N.C.) 94-86

GAME VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Sophomore Jaquan Wooten/Kinston, North Carolina posted career-highs of 42 points and 17 rebounds to lead No. 9 Richard Bland College to a 94-86 NJCAA Region 10 men's basketball victory past Wake Technical (N.C.) Community College on Saturday night at Statesman Hall.  Wooten's 42 points (18-22 FGs, 6-9 FTs) are a new program record since Richard Bland reinstated basketball in 2013.  Sophomore Gevon Arrington/Petersburg added 12 points for the nationally-ranked Statesmen (25-4, 17-2), who rallied from a 12-point second half deficit while finishing the regular-season 13-1 at home.  Josh Siler scored 31 points and Camryn Fort had 25 points for the visiting Eagles (13-17, 9-11).

Richard Bland, No. 9 in this week's NJCAA Division II Top 20 Poll, took a 6-2 lead at 17:43 as Wooten set the tone early with three-straight baskets down low, including the first of his four slam dunks in the contest.  The Statesmen took their largest lead of the half at 17-7 with 14:24 on the clock after a pair of free throws by Wooten.  Wake Tech, however, battled back with an 18-4 run to lead 25-21 at 10:35, capped by a three-point field goal by Fort, the top scorer in NJCAA Division II (27.0).  Another dunk from Wooten had the hosts ahead 29-28 at 8:12, and a three-pointer by Arrington at 6:05 tied it at 37-37.  A three-pointer by Fort at 5:13 helped the Eagles close the half on a 12-7 run to lead 49-44 at the intermission.  Wooten had 24 points and eight rebounds at the break, while Fort (18) and Siler (17) combined for 35 first-half points for the visitors. 

Wake Tech continued its momentum to start the second half, taking their largest lead of the contest at 60-48 with 16:11 remaining.  Richard Bland answered with a 12-1 run to close to within 61-60 at 12:47 after a dunk from freshman Stanley Taylor/Petersburg.  The Eagles still led 69-62 at 11:26, before the Statesmen began to fight back, closing to within 69-68 at 10:17 on a layup by Arrington, and to within 74-73 at 8:30 after a three-pointer by sophomore Deandre Clark/Orange.  A Wooten layup at 7:11 tied it at 75-75, and Wooten's two free throws at 5:33 gave the hosts the lead for good at 79-78.  Freshman Tim Bing Jr./District Heights, Maryland made a clutch three-pointer at 4:09 (82-78), and Clark's steal and layup at 1:19 gave Richard Bland its largest lead at 92-81, as the Statesmen closed the contest with a 19-11 run over the final 6:02 for the come-from-behind victory on Sophomore Night. 

Wooten led Richard Bland with his career-highs of 42 points (18-22 FGs, 6-9 FTs) and 17 rebounds, adding two steals and two blocks.  As mentioned, the 42 points are a new program record since Richard Bland reinstated basketball in 2013, surpassing the 41 points scored by Reginald Moses against Pitt (N.C.) Community College on January 21, 2015.  Arrington had 12 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Statesmen.  Taylor finished with seven points and four rebounds.  Clark and Bing each contributed six points, with Bing adding four assists.

Richard Bland shot 46% (36-78) from the field, including 18% (3-17) on three-pointers, and 66% (19-29) at the free throw line.  The Statesmen had advantages of 66-24 in points in the paint, 41-24 in points off turnovers, 28-6 in second chance points and 29-6 in bench points.  The game was tied five times and the lead changed six times.

Siler led Wake Tech with his 31 points, including 8-15 three-pointers, while Fort added 25 points, including 4-9 three-pointers.  The Eagles shot 54% (29-54) from the field, including 46% (16-35) on three-pointers, and 55% (12-22) at the line.

Richard Bland and Wake Tech were playing for the ninth time in the sport of men's basketball, and the Statesmen now lead the series 6-3.

Richard Bland recognized its six sophomores during a special pregame ceremony, including Gevon Arrington, Deandre Clark, Jalen Jackson/Plainfield, New Jersey, Myles Markland/Petersburg, Harrison Mitchell/Hampton and Jaquan Wooten.

Richard Bland is hosting the first round and quarterfinals of the NJCAA Division II, Region 10 Tournament next weekend, March 4-5.  There will be two first-round games on Saturday, March 4 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.  The four quarterfinal games will be played on Sunday, March 5 at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.  The Statesmen have earned a first-round bye, and will play their quarterfinal contest on Sunday, March 5 at 4 p.m. at Statesman Hall.