No. 18 Richard Bland Plays at No. 15 Louisburg (N.C.) on Wednesday
SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- No. 18 Richard Bland College will play on the road at archrival and No. 15 Louisburg (N.C.) College in a Region 10 men's basketball game on Wednesday night, February 7, at 7 p.m. in Louisburg, North Carolina. The nationally-ranked Statesmen have won five-straight games and are 16-5 overall, including 10-3 in Region 10, while the nationally-ranked Hurricanes are 18-4 overall, including 11-2 in Region 10. Richard Bland won a thrilling 99-94 overtime decision against Louisburg on January 22 in Statesman Hall, starting the team's current winning streak.
GAME INFORMATION
No. 18 Richard Bland (16-5, 10-3)
at No. 14 Louisburg (N.C.) (18-4, 11-2)
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Louisburg, N.C.
Series History: 5-6
Looking at the Statesmen
Richard Bland has moved into second place in the Region 10 standings after five consecutive region wins. The Statesmen program is now an outstanding 120-36 (.769) since men's basketball was reinstated in 2013, including 67-21 (.761%) in Region 10 games over the past five seasons, following the 20-year hiatus from competitive sports at the College. Richard Bland is coached by fifth-year head coach Chuck Moore (168-52 overall), and assisted by third-year assistant coach Preston Beverly and first-year assistant coach Anthony Sally.
Through 21 games, Richard Bland has been led in scoring by 6-4 sophomore guard Robert Smith/Hampton, who is averaging 18.2 points and 6.2 rebounds. Smith is followed by 6-2 sophomore guard Tim Bing Jr./Suitland, Maryland (10.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists), local 6-7 sophomore forward Stanley Taylor/Petersburg (9.8 points, 7.3 rebounds), 6-3 sophomore guard Tre' Patterson/Richmond (8.6 points, 4.3 rebounds), 6-6 freshman forward Kenny Southerland/Richmond (7.9 points, 8.1 rebounds) and 6-0 sophomore guard Ricky Hicks/Bronx, New York (6.7 points, 5.4 assists). Hicks is ranked 28th nationally in assists per game.
Looking at the Hurricanes
Louisburg remains first in the Region 10 standings with four wins in its last five games. The Hurricanes are coached by third-year head coach Neil Dixon, and are led in scoring by 6-5 sophomore forward Jordan Oakley, who is averaging 18.5 points and 7.7 rebounds. Oakley is followed by 6-5 sophomore guard/forward Lewis Freeman (12.9 points, 3.9 rebounds) and 6-3 sophomore guard Jalen Gaddy (12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds). Louisburg is ranked sixth nationally in scoring with its 94.8 points per game.
Series History
Richard Bland and Louisburg are playing for the 12th time in the sport of men's basketball, and the Hurricanes lead the closely-played rivalry series at 6-5. As mentioned, the Statesmen did win the most recent meeting last month with the exciting 99-94 overtime victory in Statesman Hall. Robert Smith led Richard Bland with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Tim Bing added 18 points and six assists. Jordan Oakley led Louisburg with 36 points and 10 rebounds, while Ja'Darien Wade added 14 points and seven rebounds.
Up Next
Richard Bland will return home to welcome Region 10 member Catawba Valley (N.C.) on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 3 p.m. in Statesman Hall. Saturday's contest has been designated as the program's Autism Awareness Game.