No. 2 Richard Bland Falls To NJCAA D1 Monroe (N.Y.) College 83-73

BALTIMORE, Md. -- Sophomore Robert Smith/Hampton scored 17 points but NJCAA Division II preseason No. 2 Richard Bland College dropped an 83-73 non-region men's basketball decision to NJCAA Division I Monroe (N.Y.) College on Saturday afternoon in Baltimore, Maryland.  Sophomore Deon Joyner/North Charleston, South Carolina and freshman Ryan Jones/Smithfield each added nine points for the nationally-ranked Statesmen (5-2) against the Mustangs (3-1) at the Legends Classic hosted by Baltimore City Community College.  Richard Bland remains away from home to play its first Region 10 contest this season at Vance-Granville (N.C.) Community College on Monday night, November 20, at 7 p.m. in Henderson, North Carolina.

Richard Bland trailed Monroe at halftime, 42-36, as Smith scored 14 first-half points.  Unfortunately, the Mustangs outscored the Statesmen 41-37 during the second half for the neutral-site win.  Jones scored all nine of his points during the final 20 minutes.

Smith led Richard Bland with his 17 points, adding four rebounds.  Joyner and Jones each added nine points with Jones grabbing four rebounds, as well.  Freshman Tyrell Mendenhall/Newberry, South Carolina finished with seven points and five rebounds, while making his first collegiate start.  Sophomore Stanley Taylor/Petersburg contributed six points and 10 rebounds.

Following the Region 10 opener on the road at Vance-Granville, Richard Bland will return home to welcome Region 10 opponent Pitt (N.C.) Community College on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m. in Statesman Hall.